Six of our F.4 students participated in the FIRST LEGO League Asia Pacific Open Championship 2025, held from July 1 to July 8, 2025. The event took place at Macquarie University, Wattamlagul Campus, in Sydney, Australia. They were privileged to join this event as a result of winning the overall second runner-up in the FIRST LEGO League 2024 Hong Kong. During the competition, the students engaged in various activities, including robot challenges and project presentations. A notable feature of the event was the Alliance Challenge, in which they had the opportunity to collaborate with a Korean team to complete new missions within a limited time. Cultural exchange activities included an evening performance and a dance party, providing opportunities for international students to interact. Beyond the competition, the tour included visits to the Australian Reptile Park, Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Museum. This enriching experience not only showcased our students’ technical skills but also broadened their horizons through teamwork and international interaction. Below is a list of our student contestants:
4C 12 HUIE HOI YIN LAVENA 許凱硏
4C 26 WOO WING CHI 胡穎芝
4C 27 YEUNG OI LING 楊藹玲
4D 4 CHENG KWAN SUM AGNES 鄭鈞心
4D 25 TONG YING LOK 湯凝樂
4D 28 WU KEI TUNG 胡紀烔
The following are the reflections from the students:
Wu Kei Tung
After participating in the APOC FLL competition, I have significantly broadened my international horizons. This expansion is not solely due to my first trip to the Southern Hemisphere, specifically Sydney, Australia, but also because I had the opportunity to meet diverse teams of competitors from around the globe. We engaged with them about our innovative projects, robot designs, and even cultural differences. There were several inspiring experiences that I had not encountered in previous local competitions.
First, during the cultural exchange night, we enjoyed performances from various teams, including those from Vietnam, Korea, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and Greece. Before this trip, I had only known these countries from a world map, but after singing and dancing together, I learned to appreciate different cultural lifestyles and forge friendships with them.
Secondly, the team alliance challenge was one of the most unforgettable experiences for me. It involved an improvised friendly match where we were given a random map and a limited time to practice coding our robots to complete missions. In the past, our team had always worked independently with rehearsals and practices, which made us well-trained and confident in our performance. However, during the team alliance with “A Team,” which achieved a perfect score in the robot game, we learned new skills through communication and improved the efficiency of our robot. It was an honor to code, practice, and collaborate with A Team, which helped me gain clarity about the strengths of others and my own shortcomings.
I do not expect our technology to soar to great heights in a short period, but this experience has provided me with a clearer understanding of what “better” truly means. We recognized the gap between our team and the winning team, particularly in terms of coding skills and LEGO equipment. This journey has also taught me to think outside the box, adapt on the spot, and work efficiently with others. Our team has strengthened its tacit agreements and teamwork.
What contributed most to my progress was our participation in the robot game competition. Each night, upon returning to the hotel, we did not slack off; instead, we set up our maps in the room and practiced until midnight. Together, we faced failures and frustrations, yet we continued to encourage and support each other. In the morning of the competition, despite achieving our ideal plan in Hong Kong, we still needed to fine-tune our program regularly due to various uncontrollable factors. We completed some missions by chance and had to ensure our starting point was always accurate.
In the first two rounds of our competition, we did not perform as expected. However, we did not give up; instead, we corrected our robot’s errors and encouraged one another. Mr. Mok provided tremendous support and urged us to strive for excellence, even though we had one last chance. He helped us relax and reminded us that the most important aspect was to enjoy the competition rather than focus solely on the final scores.
For our final performance, after extensive adjustments to the robot and our mindset, we had modest expectations. We prayed multiple times and recited bible verses, as we usually did during morning assemblies. To our surprise, we achieved a score that was twice as high as in the second round. We hugged and were moved to tears, knowing we had tried our best and done all we could to attain our ideal score.
At the beginning of the competition, I felt self-conscious as others had larger robots, more sophisticated equipment, and superior assembly techniques. However, I learned to believe in myself and trust the process; my hard work paid off. It became clear that complex and advanced equipment is not the key to scoring high points; instead, a clean, efficient, and strategically targeted robot is paramount. As we appreciate others, we should also learn to value ourselves.
Ultimately, we had a wonderful time during this memorable week. It was my first experience traveling independently, without my parents, alongside friends and teacher. I could feel myself growing and becoming more independent. I also developed a closer bond with my teammates (including Mr. Mok), fostering a strong friendship. I am deeply grateful for this unforgettable trip.
Woo Wing Chi
APOC truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I vividly recall the moment I learned about the FIRST LEGO League competition during our first STEAM meeting in F. 2. What attracted me most was the chance to represent Hong Kong on an international stage. Honestly, I never imagined my dream would come true, and it was a wonderful feeling to see it unfold. Reflecting on this trip, I’d like to start with the preparation process. Since our robot car underwent an automatic system update, we had to reinstall the coding and practice again just a week before the competition. This experience taught me the crucial importance of labor distribution—there was no way one person could perfectly handle three presentations and a robot game in such a short time, but by working together, we managed to finish successfully.
During the event, challenges arose because the practice room tables differed from those at the competition, and the competition tables themselves were unstable and not set according to the rules. This meant some of our tools couldn’t be used, forcing us to make on-the-spot changes, which resulted in a significant drop in marks from our expectations. However, with Mr. Mok’s encouragement and our persistence, we didn’t give up and ultimately achieved a satisfying result despite the uncertain situation. These experiences highlighted key learnings about teamwork and adaptability. After deep reflection, I now see areas to improve, such as better preparation for unexpected venue changes, enhancing future initiatives, and incorporating more research background and practical content in presentations.
As this chapter of my FLL journey ends, my heart floods with gratitude. Thanks to the school for the platform, the principal for the encouragement, Mr. Mok for his unwavering guidance, my teammates for standing side by side through every challenge, and myself for persisting till the end. This journey has been invaluable, and I’m endlessly thankful for everyone who made it possible.
Yeung Oi Ling
Joining the LEGO League Australia 2025 was a great experience for our Hong Kong team. At first, our robot struggled in the game, but we used each match to improve its design, adjusted the sensors, and refined our plan. By the last round, our scores reflected how much we had grown. The improvement brought me a strong sense of fulfillment, but even more valuable was the friendship we gained with teams from Korea, India, and other countries. Despite our diverse cultural backgrounds, we shared competition tips, saw kangaroos, and learned why Australia can preserve so many unique and ancient species. These moments reminded us that working together and staying curious are key. Overall, the trip strengthened our communication skills and helped us feel more confident in STEM.
Hui Hoi Yin Lavena
Joining APOC FLL 2025 has been a valuable experience for our team. Throughout the competition, we faced numerous challenges, especially when our robot didn’t perform as expected. However, through perseverance and commitment to improvement, we made various adjustments and conducted tests, ultimately achieving satisfying results in the final round. Although we didn’t win any awards, the true reward was the opportunity to compete and connect with teams from around the world. This experience allowed us to engage in cultural exchanges with students and teachers from different countries, enriching our understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives. Additionally, exploring iconic sites in Sydney, such as the Sydney Opera House and the Australian Museum, broadened our horizons and deepened our appreciation for Australian history and culture. We are extremely grateful for this remarkable opportunity, which has left us with lasting memories and no regrets. Overall, this journey has been both challenging and rewarding, fostering growth and relationships among us all.
Tong Ying Lok
If you ask me to describe this whole journey to Australia APOC FLL, I would say it was a memorable adventure that fostered my personal growth. Participating in such a huge global competition was obviously exciting, but it wasn’t without challenges. With multiple tests and quizzes before the exam, we had little time to prepare fully after the exams before the trip. It was exhausting but definitely worthwhile. We tried our best and put our hearts and souls into every single mission, deepening the bond between our teammates. Moreover, throughout the competition, I acquired skills and knowledge unattainable from textbooks. For example, in the alliance robotic competition, we teamed up with a Korean team to finish multiple missions together. During the process, I improved my communication skills and learned the importance of teamwork. The overall FLL competition boosted my confidence and encouraged me to have faith in myself even during stressful situations, and gave me the bravery to overcome challenges and rise again after each failure. Lastly, I also learned more about the history, people, and traditions from different countries through cultural exchanges that broadened my horizon. How I wish this trip could be longer! It’s a pity this is my last year to participate in FLL due to age limits. Yet, this journey to Australia will always mark a milestone in my life, teaching me to believe in myself and stand back up again even in adversity. To conclude, I enjoyed the trip very much!
Cheng Kwan Sum Agnes
What a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I never expected to stand on the world stage showcasing my passion for STEM. Exempted from ordinary school days, I attended the Asia Pacific Ocean Championship in Sydney, which enabled me to transcend limits and create treasured memories. Inspired by geography and chemistry lessons, we developed an innovation project on electrolysis of seawater to combat coral dissolution. Applying classroom knowledge rekindled my passion for these subjects. Despite flaws, countless past experiment failures shaped our persistence into success. Presenting our project and confidently answering judges in improvised English was challenging but rewarding. Rarely do we get to step out of our comfort zones like this!
Beyond the project, I realized how indispensable teamwork is. With hectic schedules, we often worked without everyone present, so frequent reminders and rational, respectful communication were crucial. This valuable lesson transformed my usual introversion into open-mindedness and active communication, strengthening my relationship with teammates.
Reflecting on the competition days in Sydney, I was impressed by the gathering of teenagers sharing STEM passion worldwide. Unlike Hong Kong’s serious atmosphere, participants cheered with rhythmic dance and chants, creating a relaxing, delightful vibe. Though competitors, we became like-minded friends on and off the field. From sharing innovation ideas and souvenirs to cheering in robot games, dancing at the party, and cruising Darling Harbour, we connected deeply through robotics, music, and dreams. One German friend, Yannick, who loves Formula 1 and FLL, shared his dream of becoming an engineer.
At cultural night, I enjoyed the energetic atmosphere as Romania and Greece teams invited all to join traditional dances. Visiting other teams’ booths opened my appetite for exploring new STEM areas. I will cherish these heartfelt bonds as invaluable treasures in my life.
“It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream.” The spectacular sunset after completing the robot game lingers in my mind, reminding me of the commitment and effort needed to pursue my dreams and the beauty of my Sydney experience. The FLL APOC experience has intricately shaped my high school journey into exquisite, treasured memories I will carry forever.
