All-Girls Team Crowned World Champions at International Robotics Final

When an all-girls robotics team from Bracknell walked onto the global stage in Florida this weekend, they were already representing something bigger than a competition entry. By the end of the FIRST® LEGO® League International Open, they were representing excellence.

The RealTech Bots, a team of young engineers led by parent coaches, were named International Champions, beating 96 teams from 11 countries at the prestigious Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In a field packed with technical ability, innovation, and experience, this UK team emerged at the very top.

Their victory is not only a major achievement in youth robotics. It is a clear statement about what young women can achieve in STEM when given opportunity, encouragement, and space to build.

A global competition with real-world stakes

The FIRST® LEGO® League International Open brings together the strongest teams from national finals around the world. It is designed to test far more than technical ability. Teams are assessed on engineering design, research quality, teamwork, communication, and the ability to solve real problems under pressure.

This year’s theme, SUBMERGED℠, challenged teams to explore ocean environments, marine ecosystems, and the impact of human activity. Participants were asked not only to build and programme robots, but also to identify a real environmental challenge and develop a practical, innovative solution.

For students aged 6 to 16, this is often their first exposure to systems thinking, applied engineering, and structured problem-solving. It mirrors the same foundations used later in professional environments, where safe, effective outcomes depend on planning, evidence, and accountability, principles reinforced through health and safety training for engineers.

Meet The RealTech Bots

The RealTech Bots are:

• Tasnim Meliani (14)
• Fatema Shaikh (15)
• Zara Rashid (14)
• Shriya Suvarna (14)
• Sarah Meliani (9)
• Snigdha Suvarna (12)

Despite their young ages, the team demonstrated a level of confidence, clarity, and technical maturity that impressed judges and peers alike. Competing against teams from across Europe, North America, and Asia, they showed not only technical competence, but calm decision-making and strong communication throughout the event.

This was not a one-off success. The team has been developing its skills over several seasons, building knowledge incrementally and learning from setbacks. That long-term approach reflects a core engineering truth: capability is built over time, not overnight.

The PH Wanderer: innovation with purpose

At the heart of the team’s success was their innovation project, PH Wanderer.

The PH Wanderer is a low-cost, autonomous, solar-powered pH monitoring system designed to provide real-time measurements of water acidity. Data is transmitted wirelessly to a central monitoring location, allowing environmental conditions to be tracked continuously.

The problem the team addressed is serious. Ocean acidification, driven largely by increased CO₂ absorption, threatens marine ecosystems, coral reefs, and food chains. Existing monitoring systems can be expensive, complex, and difficult to deploy at scale.

By focusing on affordability, autonomy, and real-time data, the RealTech Bots demonstrated strong systems thinking. They balanced engineering constraints, environmental impact, and usability, exactly the kind of trade-offs professional engineers face daily. Evaluating those trade-offs depends on structured thinking and understanding consequences, central to risk assessment fundamentals.

Robotics that goes beyond robots

FIRST® LEGO® League is often misunderstood as being “about robots”. In reality, the robot is only one part of the challenge.

Teams are assessed on how they research a problem, develop a solution, test it, communicate it, and work together. Judges look closely at collaboration, inclusion, and how teams respond to questions and challenges.

The RealTech Bots stood out in these areas. Their presentation was clear, confident, and well-structured. They were able to explain not just what their solution did, but why it mattered and how it could be improved.

Strong technical outcomes depend on strong communication. In engineering contexts, this is a recognised skill in its own right, supported through structured approaches to effective communication in construction and engineering.

Coaching, commitment, and growth

Sellami Meliani, the team’s coach, highlighted that the most meaningful achievement was not the trophy, but the journey.

Over four years, the team developed confidence, resilience, and problem-solving ability. They returned each season stronger, more focused, and more ambitious. That consistency is rare and speaks to both the students’ commitment and the support around them.

Youth engineering programmes succeed when they create safe environments for experimentation, failure, and growth. Trust, feedback, and reflection are essential. In professional settings, these same qualities are used to assess credibility and impact, often reflected through mechanisms such as a training provider reviews page, which prioritises outcomes over promises.

UK success on a global stage

The RealTech Bots were not the only UK team recognised. Yorkshire’s Incredilegos, from Bradford Grammar School, were awarded second place in the Innovation Finalist Award, reinforcing the strength of UK teams at this year’s international event.

Hannah Rees, Senior Education Manager for FIRST® LEGO® League UK & Ireland, described the standard of performance as exceptional. She highlighted the confidence, skill development, and growth shown by all participants, and emphasised the significance of an all-girls team winning the Champions Award.

Her message was clear: this success sends a powerful signal to young women everywhere that they belong in STEM.

Why this matters for the future

Events like this are not isolated success stories. They are part of a broader effort to build the next generation of engineers, technologists, and problem-solvers.

The IET’s role as the UK and All-Ireland operational partner for FIRST® LEGO® League reflects a long-term commitment to widening participation and showing young people what engineering careers can offer.

Exposure at an early age shapes confidence, aspiration, and identity. When students see people like themselves succeeding, it reframes what is possible. This is especially important in sectors where representation has historically been limited.

That long-term pipeline is why discussions around why engineering and trade careers remain a strong long-term choice increasingly start with schools, clubs, and competitions like this one.

More than a trophy

Winning the International Champions Award is an extraordinary achievement. But its real value lies in what it represents.

It represents curiosity turned into capability. Teamwork turned into confidence. Ideas turned into impact.

For the RealTech Bots, this victory will be remembered for years. For others watching, it may be the moment that sparks a first interest in engineering, robotics, or problem-solving.

And for the wider STEM community, it is a reminder that talent is everywhere, when opportunity is too.

Looking ahead           

As celebrations continue, attention now turns to what comes next. More competitions. More projects. More young people inspired to build, test, and improve the world around them. The RealTech Bots have shown what is possible when determination meets opportunity. Their success is not just a win for Bracknell, or for the UK, but for the future of STEM itself.