Capetonian teenagers from Texpand have triumphed against international competition to win the FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Competition, bringing home the World Champion Trophy and inspiring STEM education in South Africa.
Western Cape, South Africa (23 April 2024) – A group of Capetonian teenagers has emerged victorious in what can only be described as the Olympics for robotics.
Meet Texpand, the South African Champion High School Robotics team that recently clinched the top spot at the first Tech Challenge Robotics Competition in Houston, Texas.
Out of a staggering 7,900 teams from around the globe, only 224 made it to last week’s first Championship. The competition was fierce, spanning multiple days of intense gameplay across four divisions. Despite facing teams with multi-million rand budgets, Texpand, fueled by a handful of dedicated sponsors and sheer determination, rose to the occasion.
In a remarkable turn of events, two top international teams handpicked Texpand to form an alliance for the final rounds. Together with “A. I. Citizens” from Romania and “The Clueless” from the USA, they defied the odds and clinched the coveted title, cementing their status as World Champs and a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
But this isn’t Texpand’s first rodeo.
Last year, they were crowned South African FTC robotics champions and became the first African team to win the prestigious Think Award, which celebrates excellence in engineering thinking and process. Now, they’ve done it again, reinforcing their reputation as trailblazers in the world of robotics.
For Texpand, the journey is about more than just winning. As they put it, “FTC is more than a game – it is about growing in and expanding STEM skills – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.”
The team members, aged between 14 and 17, have honed their skills in physics, coding, applied mathematics, 3D design, sensor integration, and more. What’s truly inspiring is their commitment to giving back to their community. They’ve shared their knowledge with over 500 young minds in Cape Town, mentored 35 emerging FTC teams worldwide, and launched eight new robotics teams.
They aim to inspire and train the next generation of South African STEM enthusiasts and robotics aficionados. And they are doing just that!
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Tonight, when Texpand touches down at Cape Town International Airport, they won’t just be bringing back memories and experiences. They’ll be proudly holding aloft a World Champion Trophy, a symbol of their hard work, dedication, and the limitless potential of South African youth.
Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie: we are champions!
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