An 86-member delegation of students and mentors proves Costa Rica is brimming with talent in science and tech.

In Costa Rica, we often talk about our natural treasures—our forests and beaches. This week, however, the talent making headlines is technological, scientific, and innovative.

An impressive Costa Rican delegation, made up of 86 students, teachers, and mentors, is in Panama City competing in the “Open Championship Americas Panama 2025.”

This isn’t just any event. It’s one of the most important educational robotics competitions on the continent, gathering bright young minds from over 26 countries across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Our Tico representatives are competing with 17 teams across eight official categories, proving their ingenuity against world-class competition.

The event, held at the Panama Convention Center, is a true hotbed of creativity. The teams, made up of youths aged 8 to 19, have spent months designing, building, and programming robots to overcome complex challenges under this year’s theme: “The Future of Robots.”

Beyond who wins first place, the presence of such a robust delegation sends a powerful message: Costa Rica is building the future. These kids aren’t just playing with robots; they are learning problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation—key skills that will define the country’s next generation of leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs.