ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Team Aruba robotics is asking the community and local businesses for support as five young students prepare to represent the island at the FIRST Global Challenge 2026 in Incheon, South Korea.
The STEM Embassy will represent Aruba at the international robotics competition for the fourth consecutive year.
According to LeAnn Tromp of The STEM Embassy, this year’s team consists of five students between the ages of 14 and 18 who will compete against young innovators from around the world.
The FIRST Global Challenge will take place from October 7 through October 10 under the 2026 theme “Igniting Innovation.”
Aruba Returns to International Robotics Stage
The international competition brings together teams from more than 190 countries to demonstrate their knowledge, creativity, engineering ability and teamwork through robotics.
For Team Aruba robotics, this year’s competition represents another opportunity to showcase the island’s growing STEM talent on an international stage.
The team enters the 2026 event after an impressive performance last year.
In 2025, Aruba earned third place in the Alliance Finals and won a bronze medal.
The team also finished second for the Albert Einstein Award, one of the competition’s highest distinctions, earning a silver medal while competing against teams from around the world.
The STEM Embassy hopes this year’s students can build on those accomplishments and once again represent Aruba successfully.
Team Needs Help Covering Costs
Participating in an international robotics competition requires significant funding.
FIRST Global is expected to sponsor the team’s airline tickets to South Korea, reducing one of the largest travel expenses.
However, The STEM Embassy must still cover a registration fee of approximately US$10,000.
According to Tromp, the fee includes the robotics kit as well as accommodation, transportation and meals during the competition.
Additional expenses remain outside that amount.
The organization must also provide uniforms, souvenirs and other materials needed to properly prepare the students for their trip and participation in the event.
GoFundMe Campaign Launched
To help cover these costs, The STEM Embassy has started a fundraising campaign for Team Aruba robotics.
A GoFundMe link is available through The STEM Embassy’s official Facebook and Instagram pages.
People who prefer another method can also make donations directly to the organization’s bank account.
The STEM Embassy is encouraging individuals and businesses across Aruba to contribute toward the team’s preparation.
Every contribution can help provide the five students with the equipment, resources and support needed to compete successfully in South Korea.
Building Aruba’s Next Generation of STEM Talent
Participation in FIRST Global extends beyond winning medals.
The international competition allows young people to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills while working under pressure and collaborating with students from different countries.
For Aruba’s participants, the experience also provides international exposure and an opportunity to develop technical skills that can support future educational and professional opportunities.
The STEM Embassy has continued investing in young people who show interest and ability in robotics and other STEM fields.
Representing Aruba for a fourth consecutive year reflects the progress being made in developing those opportunities locally.
Community Invited to Support Team Aruba
With the competition approaching in October, fundraising and preparation are now important priorities for Team Aruba robotics.
The STEM Embassy hopes support from residents and local businesses will help ensure the students can concentrate on designing, building and preparing their robot without funding limitations affecting their participation.
The five students will carry Aruba’s flag to Incheon while joining young innovators from more than 190 countries.
After last year’s award-winning performance, the team now hopes to build on that success and once again demonstrate Aruba’s growing potential in international robotics and STEM education.
