Five talented students from government schools in Karnataka are set to represent India at the FIRST Global Challenge 2025 in Panama City, showcasing that remarkable innovation can emerge from humble educational environments. Their journey began in a modest classroom in Bengaluru, where they dedicated countless after-school hours to transforming scrap materials, sensors, and programming into a functional robot aimed at ecological restoration.
Their creation will embark on a journey of nearly 10,000 miles to participate in a competition often referred to as the “Robotics Olympics.” This year”s theme, “Eco Equilibrium,” challenges young innovators to construct robots that tackle pressing environmental issues. The event is scheduled to take place from October 29 to November 1, 2025.
The team, comprising Ningaraj (16), Parashuram (17), Arjun (17), Gouresh (15), and Chandan (14), worked diligently for several months to refine their robot”s design, supported by mentors from The Innovation Story and the Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) Makerspace Lab. Each member brought unique skills to the project, contributing to mechanical design, coding, electronics, and problem-solving.
The students proudly presented their robot at a flag-off ceremony in Bengaluru, demonstrating the results of their extensive design, testing, and programming efforts. Their robot is specifically designed to address real-world environmental challenges, focusing on habitat restoration and biodiversity conservation.
The initiative is spearheaded by the STEM Education Trust, co-founded by Gagan Goyal, a General Partner at India Quotient. Goyal emphasizes the importance of making robotics accessible to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background. “These kids come from families with limited means but limitless dreams,” he stated. “We aim to demonstrate that innovation can thrive in any classroom when curiosity is nurtured and supported.”
Their selection reflects a broader trend towards democratizing STEM education within India”s public school system. The STEM Education Trust has mentored hundreds of students across the country through programs like Atal Tinkering Labs and AFE Makerspace Labs, imparting essential skills in robotics, coding, and design thinking. Each year, top-performing teams receive full sponsorship to compete on an international platform.
Goyal envisions an expansion of this model through the establishment of STEM hubs, alumni networks, and innovation pipelines that will reach thousands of students in government schools. “Our goal is to create an ecosystem where every student can imagine, create, and lead, irrespective of their background,” he remarked.
Adding to the event”s excitement, a member of the 2023 Team India from Goa returned as a coach. He shared insights from his experience, stating, “It”s four days of nonstop building and fixing under pressure. But the real victory is the confidence you gain and take home.”
