FIRST GLOBAL aims to inspire passion and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among young people around the world . It is an annual, Olympics-style international robotics competition where teams from different countries collaborate to solve global problems using robotics.

To foster global collaboration and interdependence by bringing together youth to develop technical skills and innovative solutions for global challenges

In 2017, for the first time, a mixed school Philippine Robotics Team was organized and named “Legionnaires”. Composed of students from Dr. Yanga’s College Inc. (Bocaue, Bulacan) , Livingstone International School (Angeles City) and Claret School of Quezon City. Philippines joined FIRST Global Robot Challenge in 2017 which had 160 teams from 152 countries at George University, Washington DC, USA. Participating country teams are teamed up with two(2) other countries for a Hydro challenge using Advance Robotics kits and controllers. The Philippine Embassy USA hosted a dinner to honor the Philippine Robotics Team and Tour of National Museum of Natural Science and Smithsonian Space Museum. Ivanka Trump (daughter of U.S. President Donald Trump) graced the event to welcome delegates particularly students from conflict countries like Afghanistan, Sudan, Iran, Syria , Mali, and other countries.

FIRST Global Challenge DUBAI 2019 with 190 countries . Students and coaches received FREE airfare, Hotel accommodations, meals and Visa assistance from FELTA Multi-Media and DUBAI Future Foundation, DYCI built an advanced robot for this year’s theme ” United by Land…Connected by Oceans”. To solve global issues of the OCEAN. A collaboration between 3 countries for every match. The Philippine team met Dean Kamen the Founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology) Foundation.

Then once again , the Philippine Robotics National Team, represented by the DYCI Primes, showcased their exceptional talent and innovative spirit at the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) FIRST Global Challenge 2024, held in Athens, Greece. This prestigious event, the largest international youth robotics competition, saw the participation of 193 countries from around the world, all united by their passion for robotics and technology.

Achievements and Awards
The DYCI Primes, composed of Gabriel Ortega, Tobias Dalistan, Jewelle Rafa, Annette Ambi, and Leslie Guadalupe, under the mentorship of Coach Ann Raz and Beryl Cruz, made the Philippines proud with their remarkable achievements. They were awarded the BRONZE medal for the Sofia Kovaleskaya Award, recognizing their significant contributions to the world of robotics. Their documentary on social media, aligned with the theme “Feeding the Future,” highlighted the vital role of robotics in addressing global challenges related to food security and sustainability.
In addition to the Sofia Kovaleskaya Award, the team also received the Global Explorer Award, a testament to their outstanding performance and innovative solutions during the competition held Separately 26-29,2024 , Athens , Greece . The Filipino community were invited as spectators and supporters.

During their time in Athens, the Philippine Robotics National Team had the distinct honor of a courtesy meeting with H.E. Ambassador Giovanni Palec of the Embassy of the Philippines in Greece. Ambassador Palec expressed his admiration for the team’s technical knowledge and their dedication to advancing the field of robotics. He emphasized the importance of such international platforms in showcasing the talent and potential of Filipino youth on the global stage.
Feeding the Future: A Vision for Tomorrow.

The theme for FIRST Global PANAMA 2025 is “Eco Equilibrium,” focusing on protecting global biodiversity and restoring the balance of nature by having students design and build robots to solve environmental challenges. In the challenge, teams will develop innovative solutions through robotics to tackle threats to ecosystems like rainforests and coral reefs, ultimately working to nurture a thriving planet.