HOUSTON, TEXAS – Several South Korean teams have made a significant mark on the global stage at the 2025 FIRST® Championship, showcasing their exceptional STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) capabilities in the FIRST® LEGO League (FLL) division.
The FLL, a renowned global youth robotics festival co-organized annually since 1998 by the U.S.-based FIRST® Foundation and Denmark’s LEGO Education, challenges participants in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Distinguished by its six core values – Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun – and its problem-based learning structure centered around annual global societal issues, the FLL fosters collaboration and emphasizes the learning process and skill development over mere competition and results. The program currently engages approximately 700,000 young individuals across over 110 countries each year.
The 2025 FIRST® Championship in Houston, Texas, witnessed the participation of tens of thousands of students. These teams demonstrated their STEAM proficiencies across various divisions, including the FLL. Beyond a simple technological contest, the championship has become a platform for sharing the values of collaboration, inclusion, and innovation, providing a meaningful stage for participating youth to exhibit their potential as future science and technology leaders on a global scale.
Among the numerous Korean teams representing the nation in the FLL division, the all-girls team ‘RED’ achieved remarkable success. The team earned recognition as a ‘Champion’s Award Finalist,’ placing them among the top contenders for the prestigious Champion’s Award, which honors the team that excels in all evaluation categories. This achievement has firmly established their presence on the world stage.
Furthermore, several other Korean teams displayed outstanding skills in their respective categories, underscoring the STEAM capabilities and competitive spirit of South Korean youth in international competitions.
The non-profit organization SangSang (Imagination) has been the official South Korean partner for FLL since the 2022-2023 season. SangSang plays a crucial role in disseminating the FLL program within Korea by organizing national FLL competitions and collaborating on various school events.
SangSang, a gathering of educators dedicated to the research and dissemination of STEAM education and a non-profit organization under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Science and ICT and a designated donation organization by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is committed to expanding world-class future skills education for Korean youth through this program.
The organization is also preparing for the new archaeological-themed season, ‘UNEARTHED,’ which is scheduled to be officially unveiled through SangSang’s website in August.
Kim Sung-ae, Chairperson of SangSang and a professor in the Department of Education at Duksung Women’s University, expressed her pride, stating, “Our youth, who consistently demonstrate excellence on the global stage, have once again shown their remarkable potential as global STEAM leaders at the 2025 FIRST® Championship. The accomplishments of the Korean representative teams, who displayed their abilities in challenge, collaboration, and creative problem-solving across diverse fields, have brought us emotion and pride that go beyond mere awards. In this competition, our students not only showcased their technical skills but also embodied the communication skills and collaborative values essential for global citizens, demonstrating the direction education should take. More than just building robots, the students reflected on the role of technology in understanding people and society and in creating a better world, allowing us to witness the true ‘power of education.’ We extend our sincere congratulations and gratitude to all the participants and leaders who have made a significant impact on the world stage representing Korea.”
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