Empowering Cook Islands Girls: Making Waves on the Global Stage
An inspiring group of young women from the Cook Islands is currently embarking on an exciting journey to Athens, Greece, to participate in the highly prestigious FIRST Global Robotics Challenge. This all-girls national robotics team is proud to represent their country on the international stage, showcasing not only their technical skills but also their dedication and teamwork.
The team, consisting of Uleina Eraio (15), Ruby Newport (15), Evah Sosene (14), Kimiora Vogel (17), and Purotu Enoka (16), along with Miimetua Nimerota, director at the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT), and Jim Nimerota, coach and technical mentor, departed for the FIRST Global event with high spirits and determination.
Kimiora Vogel, who is participating in the competition for the second time, expressed her enthusiasm for the event. She shared, “Last year, I really enjoyed the competition and I was still interested in robotics. I wanted to learn more, which is why I decided to stay in the team and represent the country again.” Vogel also mentioned her desire to learn about other countries, different cultures, and to connect with people from around the world.
Vogel emphasized the importance of encouraging more youth to join robotics clubs, stating, “If you enjoy problem-solving, robotics might be the thing for you.” She also shared her interest in forensic psychology and how she finds the connection between forensic science and STEM to be fascinating.
Purotu Enoka, who is participating in the team for the first time, expressed her excitement about joining the robotics club and being selected for the travel team. Enoka’s passion for STEM subjects drove her to take this opportunity to showcase her skills and explore different ideas while interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Enoka encouraged other young people to step out of their comfort zones and join robotics clubs, highlighting the welcoming environment and the opportunity to learn new skills. She expressed her ambition to pursue a career in engineering, particularly in aerospace engineering, while remaining open to other possibilities like marine and seabed engineering.
In preparation for their journey, the robotics team underwent a comprehensive two-hour media training session led by Glenda Tuaine and Ine Sosene. Miimetua Nimerota, director of CEIT, emphasized the importance of the media training in preparing the girls for interviews, public speaking, and representing the Cook Islands on a global platform.
The Cook Islands Robotics Club, known as “COCOBOTS,” aims to foster youth skills, knowledge, and leadership in STEM fields, providing an avenue for collaboration with like-minded future scientists, engineers, designers, and digital creators. The club’s participation in the FIRST Global Challenge in Athens from September 26 to 29 signifies a significant milestone in promoting STEM education and empowerment among young women in the Cook Islands.
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