[Young journalist Isabelle Go Eun Lee] The ‘FIRST Global Challenge 2026,’ an international robotics competition for youth, will take place in Incheon from October 7 to 10. Students from approximately 190 countries are expected to participate.
 
The FIRST Global Challenge is an annual international robotics competition organized by FIRST Global, a U.S.-based non-profit public service organization. National teams compete by designing, building, and programming robots to complete specific tasks. Going beyond a mere robotics contest, this event aims to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, international cooperation, and problem-solving skills.
 
The theme for this year’s competition is ‘Igniting Innovation.’ Centered around the issue of wildfires, which are becoming increasingly severe due to climate change, participants will explore ways to use technology to prevent the spread of fires, minimize damage, and enhance the resilience of forests and local communities. 
 
Participating students will use standardized robot kits to complete game-based tasks, competing in their skills in design, programming, and construction. At the same time, they will gain experience in collaboration, systems thinking, and leadership while working to solve real-world problems through technology. FIRST Global aims to bring together young people from around the world to solve shared challenges and transcend cultural and linguistic barriers. 
 
Expectations are high for the South Korean team, a regular participant in the event. The team has been thoroughly preparing by designing, building, programming, and testing their robot ahead of the competition. As the event is being held in Korea this year, the team hopes to leverage the home-ground advantage to showcase the experience and technical expertise they have accumulated and achieve excellent results.
 
Through this competition, FIRST Global plans to provide young people from various nations with the opportunity to collaborate across borders and cultural divides, helping them grow into future leaders in science and technology. The organization’s primary goal is to foster interest in STEM fields and cultivate technological leadership among the next generation through this international robotics competition, which involves students from approximately 190 countries.
 
FIRST Global is a New Hampshire-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting leadership in science and technology, innovation, and international cooperation among youth.

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