The 2007 MATE international competition is crossing borders in more ways than one. This is the first time that the competition has been held outside of the U.S.

It’s also the first time that the event will have such global representation. More than 170 teams from middle schools, high schools, home schools, colleges, and universities have registered to compete in either the international competition or one of the 14 regional contests that will feed into the international event again this year. Along with students from North America and the winners of the second annual Hong Kong Underwater Robot Challenge, the competition will welcome students from Scotland, Spain, Pakistan, Iran, and Japan.

What better way to help students prepare for the global workplace than by giving them the opportunity to visit a different part of the world? They’ll experience different cultures, interact with students who have similar interests and passions, and learn the logistics of crossing borders. In that sense, the competition is truly contributing to the larger goal of IPY—to better understand our world and its inhabitants.

See the complete team listing.

Text: Jill Zande