A group of students from Goa are all set to represent India at the First Global Challenge 2023, an international robotics competition that will be held in October in Singapore
By: KALYANI JHA
A young robotics team from Goa, Team LegoGoa is all set to represent India at the First Global Challenge (FGC) to be held from October 7 to 10 in Singapore.
The five-member team which includes Sai Pranav Gandhi, Apurva Katkar, Atharv Sakhalkar, Venkatesh Dempo, and Viraj Marathe are mentored and groomed by LegoGoa, a six-year-old community club pursuing robotics and inspiring tech-savvy kids to aim higher.
First Global Challenge is an international robotics competition held in Olympic style, featuring participation from the world over. The contest, which sees participation from over 180 countries every year, intends to bring sports and science and technology together to inspire youth to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields and develop relevant skills required in solving current pressing problems of the planet with an edge of science and technology.
STEM Education Trust, the official partner of First Global for selecting Team India floated the application for teams interested in participation at the global event some months ago and received around 40 applications.
“As the first level of filtration, each team had to make a machine which could throw a ball without any energy source. Team LegoGoa made a machine that threw the ball to a distance of 27 meters, which was the longest distance covered by any machine and close to double the distance of the second team,” shares trustee of STEM Education Trust, Gagan Goyal.
After successive rounds of “rigorous interviews” Team LegoGoa was selected as the representative of India at the FGC 2023.
“In Goa, it’s not easy to get resources. This includes not just kits and robots but also mentors, opportunities, exposure and inspiration to go ahead. Despite this, the team’s passion and drive was amazing,” says Goyal.
In fact, some of the team members are actually underage. “The qualifying age for the competition is 14 years. But two participants are 13 years old. However, we were so excited and confident about this team that we wrote to First Global and they gave us special permission to select this team,” says Goyal, who believes that robotics is an interesting way for children to learn about science and technology. “By learning robotics, students not only learn about science and technology but also learn critical thinking, develop problem-solving skills and the ability to present solutions,” says Goyal, adding that he thinks the access to STEM education should not be limited to big cities but should be accessible to masses and preferably at a young age.
In preparation for the event, the team members are learning computer-aided design every day for one hour from an expert so as to design the competition robot and animate it. The team meets online every day at 9 in the evening to review the work done for the day and plan for the next day. They also meet at the mentor’s home to learn the assembling of parts for the robot. Apart from this, the team is also meeting other FGC teams online to learn more about their culture, food and also about their preparation for the competition. “We have already met the countries of Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Croatia, and Iran,” says Dempo.
Gandhi adds that the daily meetings help assess the team’s progress. “The team mentor tracks the completion of milestones. The team also maintains a daily diary where they record the work completed against the work planned for the day. In addition, they have supporting mentors who motivate the team to stay focussed,” he says.
TEAM LEGOGOA
“I am nervous about being part of an international competition, but I am happy that I have this opportunity to represent my country.” ~ Sai Pranav Gandhi, Class 8, Sharada Mandir School, Miramar
“It’s a pleasant feeling to do something out of my comfort zone. Participating in an international competition among all the other countries is a big deal for us.” ~ Apurva Katkar, Class 10, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bambolim
“It’s mixed feelings for me. I am happy to represent the country and confident about our performance. But I am equally nervous because this is the first time we will be on such a big platform. I am looking forward to learning more about robotics, AI and MI.” ~ Atharv Sakhalkar, first-year mechanical diploma student at Agnel Polytechnic College, Verna
“I am proud and excited to represent India on the global platform and I am looking forward to all that I will learn along the way.” ~ Venkatesh Dempo, Class 8, Sharada Mandir School, Miramar
“It’s a proud moment to represent the country. I am looking forward to learning many things from this competition which will be helpful for my future such as thinking ability, communication, etc.” ~ Viraj Marathe, Class 8, Dr. K. B. Hedgewar Vidyamandir School, Sankhali
Featured Events
Carpe Diem Art Gallery, Majorda, will be hosting ‘The Artist Acquaintances 2024’, a weekly artist camp cum group art exhibition till November 30.
The Waves International Short Film Festival (WISFF) will be held from December 6 to 8 in Panaji. As part of this festival, short film submissions are invited from emerging filmmakers and industry professionals. The deadline for submission is November 3. Entries are also invited for the 60 Hours Film Challenge, which will be held from November 25 to 28, 2024. Details: +918080696872.
Featured Blog
Fontainhas – Goa’s Latin Quarter
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Whirlpools, crocodiles, and more. Find out what the life of a fisherman is like.
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Azulejos- Tiles, Thoughts and Art
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Chorizos- The King of Sausages
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An eco-farm with thrills and adventure for the first time in Goa
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Traditional sweets of Goa
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A sneak-peek into life in Goa decades ago
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Who says a lockdown should be boring?
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When a fashion designer is in lockdown…
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A talk with a lady who creates Beauty out of Waste
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A simpler life is better ~ Literati Bookshop Founder
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A tribute to the cashew
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Beaches in Goa with less crowd
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‘Rediscover Goa’ with Airbnb and experience the true beauty of the sunshine state
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Backpacking Guide: Old Goa
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Tour Goa in a helicopter!
Who knew flying high had so many benefits? Hawk Soaring Aerospace Pvt Ltd has started premium helicopter services in Goa for the first time. Here are the services they offer: Executive Charters Relish the flexibility of your schedule and achieve more on your business trips through exclusive day-trip charters! Interstate Transfers Reduce distances and do more on your workday or holiday as you smoothly travel across interstate borders! Airport Transfers Reduce travel time and avoid traffic jams as you fly from Mopa and Dabolim airports to your resort in air-conditioned comfort! Customised Heli Tours Delight in fascinating vistas and a Hawk’s eye view of Goa and explore places such as Hampi, Kolhapur and Shirdi like never before! Joy Ride (Per Person) *8000/-only Feel the adrenaline rush as you glide through the sky in an exhilarating 10-minute joyride across the State in the classic Agusta 119! (Time Slot: 11 am -12 pm, 3 pm – 4 pm.)
Goa in 48 hours – For the Adventurous
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Delightful Summer Fruits of Goa
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An unforgettable culinary journey
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The marigold man of Goa
With a deep understanding of agriculture and a desire to bring locally grown marigold flowers to the Goan community, Amona-based farmer Krishna Sinari has embarked on the high-tech venture of marigold farming. RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT Inspired by the need for locally grown marigold flowers, Krishna Sinari, the owner of Prakriti Farm Products, has started a high-tech venture of marigold farming in a 3,000-square-meter plot. With a total of 5,000 plants, his farm boasts vibrant yellow and orange marigold flowers. The inspiration behind choosing marigold flowers as the primary crop stems, he says, is that even though Goa has a suitable environment for its growth, a majority of the flowers are brought in from other places. “Marigolds are essential for Diwali celebrations. So I chose to start my own marigold production to meet the local demand,” says Sinari, who holds a diploma in agriculture and has done various courses to enhance his knowledge in the field. Currently enjoying his first marigold harvest, the next crop of flowers will be during Diwali and later for Tulsi Vivah. After that, he will move on to the next crop. Sinari has previously cultivated hybrid chillies and lady fingers and plans to explore other […]
Goa-based musician ‘Discokid’ to perform at Serendipity Arts Festival 2023
Among the eight exceptional music artists handpicked for the B-side Music Production Residency programme, ‘Discokid’, a Goa-based musician will be performing at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2023. The 11-day workshop concluded in Olaulim recently and was organised by the Serendipity Arts Foundation. The eight artists namely Dzerouengmit Lepcha, Fatima Hakeen (Discokid), Lenix Lobo, Hasan Shahrukh, Govi, Ashel Unger, Rushaki Ghosh and Medhaj Dempo, delved deep into the intricacies of music production using Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation during the residency, which formally culminated on October 20. The residency was mentored by industry experts, including Jay Pei, Megha Balani, SHFT and Puneesh Suri. Fatima Hakeen aka ‘Discokid’ is a musician and producer based out of Goa and has been featured in well-known online music shows like Mixmag Goa and Worldwide FM. Over the eleven-day intensive program, the participants explored a myriad of techniques, from working with audio clips and MIDI basics to advanced production methods, honing their skills and collectively broadening their creative horizons. “Each participant brings a unique flavour to the table: from Dzerouengmit Lepcha’s soulful melodies to Discokid’s groovy beats, Lenix Lobo’s experimental sounds and Govi’s fusion of Carnatic vocals with indie and alternative genres. Hasan Shahrukh, with his expertise in […]
Glow of Epiphyllum – Brahma Kamal flowers of Goa
Recently, I came across a news story about a record-breaking bloom of 28 Brahma Kamal flowers in Goa. The spectacular sight of its prolific blossoms in the video took me on a trip down memory lane. We, too, had this beautiful plant in our garden, lovingly tended by my grandmother. Commonly referred to as ‘Bramhakamal’ in Goa and likely across the country, this plant is scientifically known as Epiphyllum Oxypetalum. Belonging to the Cactaceae family, it is an exotic plant native to the rainforests of Central and South America. Interestingly, it has no botanical connection to the true Bramhakamal species, scientifically named Saussurea obvallata, which is found and revered in Uttarakhand and the Himalayan regions. The slight resemblance between Epiphyllum Oxypetalum and the original Bramhakamal may explain the confusion between the two. Also known as the Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus or Queen of the Night, this flower truly lives up to its regal title. In our garden, this plant held a special place in my heart. Its slightly puffed, elongated leaves distinguished it from the other greenery. The celestial blooms appeared rarely, usually between July and September. One of the most unique aspects of this flower is how it unfurls its […]
