Cayman Islands robotics team set to compete on global stage

The Cayman Islands National Robotics Team (CINRT), a division of Dart’s Minds Inspired programme, is preparing to represent the nation at the 2025 FIRST Global Challenge, an international robotics competition taking place in Panama City, Panama, from 29 October to 1 November. The team is comprised of nine students from public and private schools: Logan Collins and Isaac Conly (St. Ignatius Catholic School), Jean-Matthew Downie (Triple C School), Emily Hansraj (John Gray High School), Sean Higgins (Cayman Prep & High School), Jamie Johnson (Clifton Hunter High School), Hallie Malcolm (John Gray High School), Nathaniel Shaughness (Cayman International School) and Dezira Tatum (Grace Christian Academy).

The FIRST Global Challenge unites high school students from over 190 countries, challenging them to showcase their technical expertise and problem-solving skills. This year’s theme is “eco equilibrium”, which reflects a pressing global priority of balancing technology and environmental stewardship to protect biodiversity – from lush rainforests to the vibrant coral reefs found in the Cayman Islands and around the world.

The theme will push participants to programme and navigate robots through a simulated, biodiverse environment, restoring habitats, maintaining ecological balance and protecting vulnerable species. This immersive challenge emphasises the importance of innovation in sustaining the delicate ecosystems that support life on earth.

Cayman’s team will be led by a group of dedicated mentors: Desmond White (John Gray High School); Kyle Farrington and Namitha Abraham (CUC); team manager Glenda McTaggart (Dart); and student mentor Teejhan Hansraj.

The Cayman Islands has proudly competed in the FIRST Global Challenge since 2018, when the event was first held in Mexico City. This year, the journey to the global stage began with the Minds Inspired Robotics FIRST Tech Challenge, an interschool STEM tournament hosted at the Arts and Recreation Centre at Camana Bay earlier this year, where the top students were selected to form the national team.

“Dart is proud to nurture the passion for science and technology in these talented young innovators through our Minds Inspired programme,” said Glenda McTaggart, senior manager of education programmes at Dart. “The FIRST Global Challenge is an opportunity for our students to demonstrate technical excellence, build confidence, develop teamwork skills and proudly represent the nation on a global stage. They are true ambassadors for our country’s future in STEM.”

Hailee Malcolm, a member of the CINRT and student at John Gray High School, shared that she thrives on challenges and problem-solving and finds robot building rewarding.

“Through robotics, I’ve developed my analytical skills while having fun,” she said. “This experience has shaped my career aspirations. I’m now eager to become a computer engineer, driven by my passion for creating and bringing new ideas to life.”

The FIRST Global Challenge is a flagship event designed to elevate science and technology to the same level of excitement as sports, inspiring the world’s youth to use STEM to address global challenges such as sustainable energy and environmental conservation.

This year’s participation in the FIRST Global Challenge is made possible thanks to the generous support of, Aureum Re, CUC, Dart, Health City Cayman Islands, Logic and KPMG.

To learn more about the CINRT and to follow their journey to Panama City, follow @mindsinspired on Instagram and Facebook.