News

After months of work designing, building and programming their robots to compete in the Minds Inspired Robotics’ FIRST Technical Challenge, eight teams from Grand Cayman’s local high schools gathered at the Camana Bay Arts & Recreation Centre on 11 May for an out-of-this-world competition.

Themed “Rover Ruckus”, Aureum Re, Caribbean Utilities Co., Digicel and Health City Cayman Islands sponsored the event in partnership with Dart Minds Inspired.

Informed by the Dart family’s multi-generational commitment to education, the mission of Minds Inspired is to provide young people in the Cayman Islands with unique learning experiences, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, collectively known as STEM.

During Rover Ruckus, student teams are paired into alliances to compete against each other in the playing field. Over the course of the evening, students from Cayman International School (CIS), Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC), Cayman Prep and High School, Clifton Hunter High School, Grace Christian Academy, John Gray High School, St. Ignatius Catholic School, and Triple C School all had the opportunity to work together.

In the final round, CIS and Cayman Prep and High School formed an alliance against St. Ignatius Catholic School and John Gray High School. In a narrow victory, CIS and Cayman Prep & High School claimed the champion title.

St. Ignatius Catholic School walked away with the Inspired Award for the team’s technical excellence and embodiment of the “Gracious Professionalism” that characterises the spirit of competition throughout all FIRST programmes.

The Innovation and Engineering Design Award went to Cayman International School for their innovative and creative robot design. John Gray High School received the Team Spirit Award for their extraordinary enthusiasm and commitment to teamwork throughout the competition.

The judging panel also chose to award Cayman Prep and High School the Judges’ Award for their unique efforts throughout the competition.

In keeping with the collaborative spirit of FIRST, nomination to the Cayman Islands National Robotics Team that will travel to the FIRST Global Challenge later this year is open to all participants of ”Rover Ruckus”, not just the winning alliance. Teachers and teammates are encouraged to nominate students who best exemplify excellence in technical ability, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and task organisation for consideration.

The FIRST Global Challenge is scheduled to take place in Dubai in October 2019.

For more information, visit mindsinspired.ky.