Despite a lack of funding and support in the early going, Team Jordan’s five teenage members are on a globe-trotting mission, armed with a never-say-die attitude and the know-how acquired from a range of global tech competitions to create technology that can change lives of those in the Middle East.

“Technology is not just a bunch of machines that machine-like people deal with, but a fascinating field that has the potential to transform our lives,” say members of Team Robo Fighters from Jordan, who are participating in the FIRST Global Challenge 2019 in Dubai.

Team Supervisor Yasser Jadallah shares: “As a trainer and organizer of international scientific creativity programs that include robotics, I see how interaction with their peers from different backgrounds and nationalities enriches students’ knowledge and enhances their social skills.”

He adds: “We often conduct volunteer work to spread the word about the competition. Volunteering is very important activity for developing personality on the one hand and the sense of social responsibility on the other. The team hosts or visits students from other schools to train them in design and programming skills annually, and has more than once loaned materials and robots to schools to participate in competitions.”

The Jordanian team comprises students from the King Abdullah II School for Excellence in Zarqa: Khaleel Alqaq, 16, Team Captain, Designer and Programmer, Mohammed Jamjoom, 16, Head Designer, Mohammed Rababah, 16, Bashar Al-Amoush, 15, Assistant Designer, and Abdulrahman Abu Dawla, 14, Scientific Researcher and Presentation Designer.

“Our team was formed years ago. Students are included after having received theoretical and scientific training as a part of the school’s plan to implement a range of scientific innovation programs. Each year, a number of students are selected to replace older team members who have reached 12^th grade,” says Yasser.

“The team has already participated in several competitions and activities at a national and regional level. Difficult financial conditions have prevented our participation on a global scale, but Dubai’s support enabled us to compete in this year’s FIRST Global Challenge.”

Speaking on the team’s achievements to date, he says: “We participated in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for several years and received several awards, we also competed at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO), where we won top positions in three consecutive entries. The team also picked up multiple awards in the Ball Collector Robot Competition on a national and regional level.”

He adds: “The Ministry of Education nominated us to participate in the FIRST Global Challenge due to our track record over the years.  We registered and obtained the robotic kit, with which we dealt for the first time, but the team was able to learn and design a suitable robot. The boys also organized lectures and presentations for the school’s students on the problem of marine pollution.”

Team Robo Fighters have faced several challenges, such as lack of funds for purchasing supplies and managing students’ time without affecting their excellent academic results. However, the school went out of its way to accommodate them. Many of their teachers even supported the boys’ efforts through helping them develop their skills in areas such as writing, presentation, design and graphics.