THE 2022 FIRST GLOBAL CHALLENGE
2022 THEME: CAPTURE AND STORAGE OF CARBON DIOXIDE
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a heat-trapping greenhouse gas that affects the surface temperatures on Earth. Continually rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are contributing to widespread global warming and climate change. By capturing and storing the CO2, we can reduce and prevent it from accumulating in our atmosphere, thus slowing global warming. The 2022 FIRST Global Challenge introduced a key concept to limiting the negative effects of climate change on our planet and challenged FIRST Global teams to reimagine the future of Earth’s climate through carbon capture and storage processes.
For the sixth edition of the FIRST Global Challenge, teams gathered together at the Palexpo Conference and Exhibition Center to compete under this theme in the game titled “Carbon Capture.” In this game, teams learned about the impact of CO2 on our environment and the technologies being developed and already in place to ensure the safety of our planet through the future. With the tagline “One planet, one alliance,” the Challenge embodied how, just as we are all inhabitants of Earth and affected by climate change, we should be one alliance united in combatting it for the wellbeing of all.
179 TEAMS
including a team of refugees, participated in the season.
1,550 STUDENTS
directly impacted, with more involved back home.
39% FEMALE PARTICIPATION
including 7 all-girl teams.
65+ SOLUTIONS
developed by teams to combat climate change.
2022 PLAYLISTS
THE CHALLENGE
TEAM PROFILES
SIDE FIELD MATCHES
2022 GAME: CARBON CAPTURE
In the Carbon Capture game, six national teams work together as a single global alliance to capture and store carbon, demonstrating the collective effort required to protect our shared atmosphere. They then divide into two regional alliances to employ local solutions to achieve effective long-term storage methods and slow the effects of climate change. Robots score points by collecting black plastic perforated balls – representing the carbon dioxide emissions generated by combustion – and storing as many as possible in the central sink. Robots can store the carbon directly, or they can use the corner compressors for human player assistance to transport to the sink.
Toward the end of the match, robots can secure long-term storage of captured carbon by positioning themselves on the platform at the base of the sink or on cantilevered bars mounted to the sink. If all six teams collectively store carbon and fill the sink to certain heights, the global alliance earns bonus points.
Carbon Capture Game Manuals
Carbon Capture Playing Field Drawings
Playing Field CAD Model
Carbon Capture Questions & Answers
Augmented Reality Playing Field
ENGLISHThis video is subtitled in English, Spanish, and French.
Learn more about the science behind the 2022 FIRST Global Challenge Carbon Capture Game.
2022 NEW TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCE: CARBON COUNTERMEASURES
The New Technology Experience (NTE), an annual component of the FIRST Global Challenge, is a means for the student community to stay current with cutting edge technology. The 2022 FIRST Global Challenge NTE— Carbon Countermeasures — took FIRST Global teams beyond the Carbon Capture game. Presented in partnership with XPRIZE, in this component of the season students learned about the impact of carbon dioxide on our environment, researched existing and developing technologies, and created their own solutions to combat climate change and ensure the safety of our planet through the future. The gold, silver, and bronze winners were Zimbabwe, Indonesia, and Greece, respectively.
LEARN MORE →“By engaging the world’s youth on this pressing issue, FIRST Global is an example of the power of investment and teamwork to make a positive impact. Technology is the answer to climate change.”
— Dean Kamen, FIRST Global Founder
2022 NATIONAL TEAMS
Teams not visible on the map: Cayman Islands; Federated States of Micronesia; Hong Kong, China; Hope (Refugees); Kiribati; Marshall Islands; Tonga.
“This way of learning [through the FIRST Global Challenge] awakened something inside me — a reason to expand my knowledge, to put into practice my creativity, to look for solutions and answers, and to believe in myself to become a change agent of the future.”
—Rosa, Team Venezuela 2022
“Through the 2022 FIRST Global Challenge, I was able to learn a lot of STEM principles and applicable skills. However, perhaps more importantly, I was able to learn more about how to be a leader, work in a team, and plan big projects… My exposure to so many diverse and new countries, cultures, ideas, and people really opened my eyes and helped me develop not only my skills, but also my character.”
—Male student in 2022
“It changed my whole perspective of life in a positive way. It made me gain the skills that I needed. Taught me about STEM and now I decided to apply to university in one of STEM fields. It helped to gain friends from all over the world so deep thanks to all the people behind this great competition because it helped us to compete within ourselves before competing with each other.”
—Female student in 2022
“It made me a better man, a better thinker, a better inventor, designer, engineer and also a better entrepreneur. I can say with total confidence I’m a total different and better person; I gained a new whole perspective of myself and of the planet itself. Now I consider myself a more complete version of what I wanna to be in the future.”
—Male student in 2022
IN THE NEWS
2022 AWARDS
2022 RANKINGS
2022 IMPACT REPORT
This year we not only convened the world in-person once again, but we also expanded our programming and partnerships, and involved tens of thousands of additional youth. For full insights into this amazing year, including statistics and stories, view our 2022 Impact Report.
2022 SPONSORS
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
Josh S. Weston
Honorary Chairman,
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTERS
Alan Lotvin
Executive Vice President of CVS Health and President of CVS Caremark
ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS
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