CST FLL Team in the first Central Asia FLL Championship
In February 2025, our middle and high school First LEGO League (FLL) team embarked on a groundbreaking journey to Almaty, Kazakhstan, to take part in the First Robotics Almaty Tech Cup – Central Asia FIRST Championship, held from February 20 to 23 at the Atakent exhibition complex’s Pavilion 11.
This event drew nearly 2,800 student participants from 12 countries—including Kazakhstan, Mongolia, India, Uzbekistan, and others—and featured FLL Discover, Explore, Challenge, and FIRST Tech Challenge categories.
Our students returned brimming with excitement and inspiration. One team member shared how thrilling it was to see teams from across Central Asia and beyond, saying,
“It was amazing to see how creative and technically skilled everyone was — it really showed us how robotics connects everyone.” Another reflected, “Building our robot and presenting it to judges improved our confidence. We learned to iterate fast and
support each other under pressure.”
Here are some of the takeaways our team gained from this unforgettable experience:
●Global Inspiration & Friendship: Students admired the diverse solutions and approaches from international teams, sparking new ideas and friendships.
●Growth Mindset: Observing other teams' innovative designs helped our students realize that continuous iteration and learning are key to success.
●Technical & Presentation Skills: Competing on an international stage pushed them to refine both their builds and how they communicate ideas confidently.
●Team Resilience: The intense and collaborative environment taught them adaptability,
problem-solving under pressure, and the power of working together.
We are incredibly proud of our FLL team’s courage, passion, and professionalism on this first regional stage. This experience ignited an even deeper interest in STEM, teamwork, and innovation, setting the stage for future competitions and breakthroughs.
A heartfelt thanks goes to all mentors, coaches, and supporters who made this adventure possible. We can’t wait to see where the next challenge takes us!