DadliBots

26/08/2026

Meet the members of Team Antigua and Barbuda competing in the FIRST Global Challenge in Incheon, Republic of Korea.

Hannah Masson, Team Leader, 16, of Antigua Girls' High School, is an aspiring forensic scientist with a passion for investigation, science and problem-solving. Hannah is particularly interested in how sensors, drones, cameras and data can help communities to better detect, prevent and respond to wildfires.

Audella-Mae James, Engineer, 15, of Antigua Seventh-day Adventist School, dreams of becoming an astrophysicist and is also fascinated by architecture. A lover of LEGO, baking and dancing, Audella-Mae hopes to strengthen her coding and technical drawing skills while helping create technologies that can make a difference at home.

Sidea Ambrose, Driver, 14, of Sir Novelle Richards Academy, brings a creative perspective to the team. As an aspiring administrator, Sidea enjoys using digital art to express herself beyond words. Her love of stitching, design and cooking motivates her interest in exploring how technology can help solve everyday problems; particularly for older members of her community.

Gyanna Ryan, Coder, 15, of Princess Margaret School, is an aspiring architect who is driven by an almost constant desire to learn new skills. Drawing and writing fuels her creativity, and Gyanna hopes to deepen her robotics knowledge and use what she learns to help create better development opportunities for students across Antigua and Barbuda.

Neola Noronha, Inventory, 14, of St. Anthony's Secondary School, has dreamed of becoming a pediatrician since developing a fascination with science and anatomy at a young age. A violinist and curious learner with knowledge of approximately eight languages, Neola brings organization, communication and a thirst for knowledge to the team.

26/08/2026

DadliBots Announces All-Girls Team for 2026 FIRST Global Challenge in Republic of Korea

St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda (August 25, 2026) - Five young women are preparing to make history for Antigua and Barbuda as DadliBots announces the country’s first all-girls national team to compete at the FIRST Global Challenge, taking place in Incheon, Republic of Korea, from October 7 - 10, 2026.

Representing Antigua and Barbuda on the global stage will be Hannah Masson, Team Leader; Audella-Mae James, Lead Engineer; Sidea Ambrose, Lead Driver; Gyanna Ryan, Lead Coder; and Neola Noronha, Lead Inventory.

Their selection marks another milestone in the development of youth robotics for the nation and sends an important message to other young women that there is a place for them in technology, engineering and innovation.

“Seeing five young women step forward to represent Antigua and Barbuda is bigger than the competition itself,” said Elijah James, DadliBots Team Mentor. “We want another girl looking at this team to see what is possible for her. Whether her future is in engineering, architecture, medicine, coding, esports, or another field entirely, the confidence to create, experiment and solve problems can open doors that she may not yet know exist.”

The FIRST Global Challenge is an annual Olympics-style international robotics competition that brings together high-school-aged students from 180+ countries around the world. Since its launch in 2017, the competition has used robotics as a platform to encourage international cooperation while challenging young people to apply science and technology to some of the world's most pressing issues.

This year, teams will explore the global challenge of wildfires, examining how technology and innovation can contribute to prevention, detection, response and recovery.

For Team Antigua and Barbuda, the challenge also provides an opportunity to consider the issue through a local lens. From bush fires to periodic blazes at the Cooks sanitary landfill, the students are being encouraged to think about how sensors, automation, robotics, data and other emerging technologies could help communities identify risks earlier and respond more effectively.

DadliBots has represented Antigua and Barbuda at the FIRST Global Challenge since 2018, creating opportunities for students to develop practical experience in robotics, coding, engineering, teamwork and problem-solving. The program has continued to expand its reach through initiatives including the BRIGHT Hack Challenge and TechByte STEM Camp, giving more students opportunities to move beyond simply using technology to be able to understand just how they can create solutions with it.

The selection of an all-girls team in 2026 represents the next chapter in that journey and complements the development of H.O.W. with Halo - Hope, Opportunity and Well-being through STEM, an initiative being developed with the Halo Foundation and The LocaL App to create additional pathways for young people, particularly girls, to explore future-ready education.

For the five student innovators, the journey to the Republic of Korea will be much more than building a robot. As STEM ambassadors for Antigua and Barbuda, they will have the opportunity to collaborate with students from around the world, exchange cultures and ideas, develop friendships, and demonstrate what young people from a small island nation can accomplish on one of the world's largest youth robotics stages.

The team will spend the coming weeks designing, building, programming and testing its competition robot while participating in outreach activities ahead of its departure for Incheon. Members of the public are encouraged to follow the journey of Antigua and Barbuda's first all-girls FIRST Global team through DadliBots' social media channels at DadliBots

Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in supporting the team's participation and the continued development of youth STEM programs across Antigua and Barbuda are also invited to get involved.

For sponsorships, partnerships or media inquiries,
Email: [email protected]
Phone or WhatsApp: (268) 729 1268

To learn more about FIRST Global:
Website: www.first.global
Social Media:
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26/08/2026

H.O.W. with Halo Gives a Cool Start to TechByte STEM Academy

St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda (August 23, 2026) – The Halo Foundation has handed over air-conditioning units to the principal of St. John’s Catholic School, Ms. Verlyn Richards, to support the development of TechByte STEM Academy, scheduled to launch in September 2026.

The new units will create a more comfortable environment for students to learn, build and explore STEM beyond the traditional classroom.

The handover, led by Her Excellency Lady Sandra Williams, President of the Halo Foundation, forms part of preparations for the launch of the H.O.W. with Halo initiative - Hope, Opportunity and Well-being through STEM, being developed in partnership with Mr. Elijah James, founder of The LocaL App, as part of Lady Williams’ commitment to the Fostering the Future Initiative.

The initiative builds on the Global Coalition Summit of First Spouses, hosted by First Lady Melania Trump from March 24-25, 2026 in Washington, D.C., and it focuses on creating pathways for young people to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed for their future, whether in civic life, work or studies.

“Creating the right environment for young people to learn is an important part of creating meaningful pathways,” said Her Excellency Lady Sandra Williams. “We want young people, especially girls, to have spaces where they can explore, experiment, build confidence and discover what they are capable of.”

The timing of this cool boost is especially significant as DadliBots prepares to send its first-ever all-girls team representing Antigua and Barbuda at the FIRST Global Challenge 2026 in Incheon, Republic of Korea, later this year. The five young STEM ambassadors – Hannah, Gyanna, Audella-Mae, Sidea and Neola - are part of a growing generation of students using robotics and technology to develop skills, confidence and solutions for the future.

TechByte STEM Academy will build on the success of community youth initiatives powered by The LocaL App, including summer DadliBots STEM camps and BRIGHT Hackathons, which since 2018 have provided students with opportunities to explore robotics, esports, engineering, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Elijah James expressed his appreciation for the partnership, saying:

“DadliBots and BRIGHT Hacks have always been about giving young people the opportunity to learn by doing. This support from Halo Foundation helps us create more interactive spaces where that learning can continue beyond the summer, towards a year-round model after-school model.”

The launch of H.O.W. with Halo seeks to reach 3,000 students annually and will further expand these pathways by inviting other interested organizations to join as partners. Details on student registration and scholarships will be announced as the initiative moves closer to its official launch.

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About H.O.W. with Halo

H.O.W. with Halo - Hope, Opportunity and Well-being through STEM is an initiative being developed to create pathways for young people to explore STEM, develop practical skills and build the confidence needed to succeed in an increasingly digital world. H.O.W. is being developed in partnership with The LocaL App as part of the Fostering the Future Initiative.

Learn more - https://fosteringthefuture.gov/

Media Contact

Name: Halo Foundation
Phone: (268) 562 9153
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.foundationhalo.org

24/07/2026

🔥 It takes a community to inspire the next generation; and it starts with YOUth!

We say THANKS to our incredible 2026 STEM partners for making TechByte STEM Camp possible. Your support is giving young people across Antigua and Barbuda the opportunity to explore robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, esports, future career pathways and more.

Together, we're igniting innovation and empowering tomorrow's change makers. 🚀

🗓️ July 27 – August 21
🕘 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Public Library (American Corner Antigua)

IMPORTANT NOTE: SPACE IS LIMITED

🌐 Register FREE: www.techbytecamp.com

08/05/2026

07/05/2026

Your warning has been issued. Time is running out. 🚨🔥

Premiering 7 May, a new challenge ignites and the world turns to its next generation of heroes.

Are you ready to answer the call? ⚡🤖



About us: 🌎 FIRST Global is leading an international sports revolution to ensure all of Earth's 2 billion youth have the passion, opportunities, and skill sets to change the world. 🤝 Through the sport of robotics, FIRST Global unites teenage athletes from 190+ countries to be visionary global citizens who collectively tackle the world’s greatest challenges. 🇰🇷 Join us for 2026 in Incheon, Republic of Korea around the theme of wildfires.

❤️ Follow and be part of our movement to innovate a better future through STEM education.

17/04/2026

02/04/2026