Bournemouth schoolgirls represent UK at global robot contest

An all-girl team is heading to Athens to represent the UK in a major international robotics competition.

Teams from more than 190 countries are taking part in the First Global contest, which begins on Thursday.

Each has been tasked with creating a robot that aims to solve real-world challenges such as food security.

The group, from Bournemouth School for Girls, will be the first all-girl team from the UK to participate.

The girls competing in Athens were chosen from a wider team, called Ultraviolet, made up of pupils aged between 13 and 16 years old.

The team was selected after winning the National Inspire Award at the First Tech Challenge UK Championship in Cambridge in June.

The contest was organised by First UK, a charity funded by industry seeking to make STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) more approachable, diverse and inclusive for young people.

Team member Ella, one of the project’s software engineers, has been helping program the robot’s controls.

She said: “Opportunities like this really help to encourage people to get into STEM and get practical experience which you might not get otherwise, which can really be a confidence booster.”

Patrice John-Baptiste, head of engagement at First UK, said she was “in awe” of Ultraviolet.

She said: “They continuously demonstrate that no hurdle is unsolvable and I’m impressed by their remarkable ability to both value each other for their unique contribution and invest in their community.

“The girls are a powerhouse, showing what it takes to be strong leaders and innovators for good in STEM where women are grossly underrepresented.”

The girls’ head teacher, David Sims, said: “We are immensely proud of their achievements, and particularly the fact they are the first all-girl team to represent the UK in this international competition.”