YM Lab Liberia made its debut at the Annual Impact Roundtable Discussions and Robotics Competition (AIRTAD) during the 2025 edition, its first-ever appearance on the AIRTAD stage. With little prior exposure to robotics at a national level, the team entered the competition as newcomers. Emerging as second in the Senior High Robotics Competition was, therefore, a powerful testament to resilience and discipline.
For the students and centre managers alike, AIRTAD 2025 marked a defining moment. Representing Liberia on a continental platform came with immense pressure. Robotics education was still a new terrain, yet the stakes were clear: this was an opportunity to show what young Liberian innovators could achieve when given the right tools and guidance.
The competition itself was intense and demanding. From fast-paced riddles and critical thinking rounds to the practical Problem of the Day challenge aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), every stage tested creativity, teamwork, and technical skill. The pressure extended beyond the students; even centre managers were pushed to adapt quickly and support their teams through unfamiliar challenges.
As the centre managers shared, there were moments when the journey felt overwhelming. At one point, the students began to lose confidence, unsure they could measure up against more established teams. Through consistent encouragement, reassurance, and collective resolve, they pushed forward.
Beyond the competition, AIRTAD proved to be a catalyst for broader change. YM Lab Liberia’s participation reshaped how STEM education is perceived locally in Liberia. Following AIRTAD 2025, interest in robotics increased significantly, with more schools seeking to engage the lab and more students eager to explore technology-driven learning. Robotics and innovation were now seen as real pathways for growth and opportunity.
As preparations for AIRTAD 2026 get underway, the YM Lab Liberia team is building on last year’s momentum. While the 2025 project focused on a Smart Homestead solution, this year’s work expands that vision further. The aim is to move from concept to community-scale impact, applying lessons learned from last year to create something even more robust and innovative.
YM Lab Liberia’s journey reflects the true spirit of AIRTAD as a competition that transforms how young Africans learn, think, and solve problems. As the team prepares to return to the AIRTAD stage in 2026, their story stands as proof that with opportunity, support, and determination, new voices can rise and compete confidently on a global stage.
The future of education is being built at AIRTAD, and YM Lab Liberia is proud to be part of shaping it.
