Last weekend, on March 8, 2025, Bolder Learner Tech School (BLTS) took part in the prestigious AI Robotics For Good Youth Challenge held at the Red Cross Center in Karen-Langata. While our team did not secure a win to advance to the global summit in Geneva this July, the experience was nothing short of transformative. Today, we celebrate the hard work, dedication, and immense growth of our students, parents, and mentors who made this journey possible.
A Journey of Sacrifice and Dedication
The road to the competition was paved with countless hours of preparation, day-long brainstorming sessions, and unwavering commitment. Our students, guided by their mentors, poured their hearts into designing and building an autonomous robot capable of addressing disaster response challenges. But behind every student stood a parent—driving them to training sessions, offering words of encouragement, and making sacrifices to ensure their children could pursue this dream.
On competition day, the energy was palpable. Our team was enthusiastic to showcase their project, explaining the background to their solution, and giving the audience a glimpse into their solution. Team Aurora's robot didn't perform as expected, highlighting technical challenges in the robot's functionality. The emotional maturity they displayed, the poise under pressure, and the ability to articulate their vision to the judges were testaments to how far they’ve come.
Lessons Learned: Building Stronger Foundations
While we didn’t take home the top prize, the lessons we gained are invaluable. Here are some key takeaways:
Technical Mastery: The competition reinforced the importance of deeply understanding your solution. Our students learned that innovation isn’t just about creativity—it’s about precision, functionality, and adaptability.
Effectiveness in Problem-Solving: The challenge highlighted the need for practical, real-world solutions. Our team saw firsthand how their robot struggled to perform as expected under simulated disaster conditions and identified areas for improvement.
The Power of Teamwork: To build a fully functional system, the team needed to work so closely together from coding to design to testing their solution and rehearsing their presentation.
These lessons will undoubtedly shape our students’ future endeavors, equipping them with skills that extend far beyond robotics.
Celebrating Emotional Growth
Competitions like these are about more than just winning. They’re about building resilience, confidence, and emotional maturity. Our students faced setbacks, navigated challenges, and emerged stronger. They learned to handle pressure, accept feedback, and celebrate their efforts regardless of the outcome.
To our students: You stood tall, presented your work with pride, and represented BLTS with integrity. That, in itself, is a victory.
A Heartfelt Thank You
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our parents and mentors. Your sacrifices—whether it was time, resources, or emotional support—did not go unnoticed. You believed in our students, and that belief fueled their determination.
To the judges and organizers of the AI Robotics For Good Youth Challenge, thank you for providing a platform that inspires young minds to tackle global challenges through innovation.
A Glimpse Into the Journey
We’ve included some moments from the competition below. These images and videos capture the spirit of teamwork, the thrill of innovation, and the joy of learning.
Looking Ahead
While this chapter has come to a close, the journey is far from over. The skills, lessons, and memories from this experience will stay with our students for a lifetime. At BLTS, we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders.
To our students: This is not the end—it’s just the beginning. Keep dreaming, keep building, and keep pushing boundaries. The world needs your brilliance.
To our community: Thank you for standing with us. Together, we’ll continue to inspire and empower young minds to create a better future.
