A Part
Of My Life
A Part
Of My Life
Hi! My name is Truong Gia Binh, and I am currently a high school senior at the High School for the Gifted in Natural Sciences. My passion for science began with the small pages of books and my father’s hands-on teachings. Books opened horizons I had never heard of or seen, from chemistry and physics to astronomy. My father taught me how to make things out of bamboo and ice cream sticks, and gradually, these two elements shaped my ultimate dream: to become an engineer and venture into places no one has ever gone before.
Hi! My name is Truong Gia Binh, and I am currently a high school senior at the High School for the Gifted in Natural Sciences. My passion for science began with the small pages of books and my father’s hands-on teachings. Books opened horizons I had never heard of or seen, from chemistry and physics to astronomy. My father taught me how to make things out of bamboo and ice cream sticks, and gradually, these two elements shaped my ultimate dream: to become an engineer and venture into places no one has ever gone before.
When I was a child
When I was a child
Since childhood, I was always more fascinated by toys that involved assembling things, especially cars. From small cars to large ones, I wanted to have them all. But gradually, my passion for cars faded when I was introduced to assembly toys. Then, I found what I consider my true love: Lego. I bought so much Lego that I even had an entire cabinet just to store them, and from Lego, I created a whole world of my own.
Since childhood, I was always more fascinated by toys that involved assembling things, especially cars. From small cars to large ones, I wanted to have them all. But gradually, my passion for cars faded when I was introduced to assembly toys. Then, I found what I consider my true love: Lego. I bought so much Lego that I even had an entire cabinet just to store them, and from Lego, I created a whole world of my own.
Robot in a nutshell
Robot in a nutshell
TEAM FTC #21300
TEAM FTC #21300
When I first joined the club, the older members organized a mini competition within the club. Through this mock event, I learned a lot—how to build bots, the basics of tools, fabrication, and more. At first, it was just tinkering with a base using available parts, but over time, I had to run around buying parts to complete the bot. Above all, I made new friends and gradually broke free from the shell of being an introvert. Working on the bot back then was secondary—the main purpose was chatting about life while we tinkered. Initially, we didn’t have much in common, but our shared passion for robotics became the common ground between us.
When I first joined the club, the older members organized a mini competition within the club. Through this mock event, I learned a lot—how to build bots, the basics of tools, fabrication, and more. At first, it was just tinkering with a base using available parts, but over time, I had to run around buying parts to complete the bot. Above all, I made new friends and gradually broke free from the shell of being an introvert. Working on the bot back then was secondary—the main purpose was chatting about life while we tinkered. Initially, we didn’t have much in common, but our shared passion for robotics became the common ground between us.
RIAN ROBOT #21300
RIAN ROBOT #21300
After a year in the club, the efforts and dedication I put into pursuing robotics allowed me to reach the next level: participating in one of the biggest national robotics competitions—FIRST Tech Challenge. Although this wasn’t the first time our club had competed in a national robotics event, it was my first time experiencing such a competition. At first, I thought the experience gap would prevent me from being the main builder of the FTC robot. However, I realized that the gap wasn’t that wide, especially since our club was fairly new and our mechanical skills weren’t that advanced. Over time, I bridged that gap through dedication and my ability to learn new things. Eventually, I became the main mechanical builder for the FTC robot. Even though the robot didn’t perform as well as we had hoped, the process of building it taught me invaluable lessons and gave me the experience needed to improve future bots. Moreover, our efforts in the competition earned my team and me the Judge’s Choice Award.
After a year in the club, the efforts and dedication I put into pursuing robotics allowed me to reach the next level: participating in one of the biggest national robotics competitions—FIRST Tech Challenge. Although this wasn’t the first time our club had competed in a national robotics event, it was my first time experiencing such a competition. At first, I thought the experience gap would prevent me from being the main builder of the FTC robot. However, I realized that the gap wasn’t that wide, especially since our club was fairly new and our mechanical skills weren’t that advanced. Over time, I bridged that gap through dedication and my ability to learn new things. Eventually, I became the main mechanical builder for the FTC robot. Even though the robot didn’t perform as well as we had hoped, the process of building it taught me invaluable lessons and gave me the experience needed to improve future bots. Moreover, our efforts in the competition earned my team and me the Judge’s Choice Award.
Team Vietnam First Global
Team Vietnam First Global
In the early days of my journey into engineering, an older friend encouraged me to join a volunteer project aimed at raising money to build a school for children in Bac Kan. Since we were only high school students, raising 200 million VND to rebuild a whole house seemed almost impossible. So, a more practical plan was chosen: building a schoolyard for 40 million VND, just 1/5 of the original cost. Initially, I thought this wouldn’t make much of a difference for the school, but after seeing the completed schoolyard and being involved in the project, I realized how impactful it truly was—from the joy of the children to the heartfelt gratitude of the villagers.
In the early days of my journey into engineering, an older friend encouraged me to join a volunteer project aimed at raising money to build a school for children in Bac Kan. Since we were only high school students, raising 200 million VND to rebuild a whole house seemed almost impossible. So, a more practical plan was chosen: building a schoolyard for 40 million VND, just 1/5 of the original cost. Initially, I thought this wouldn’t make much of a difference for the school, but after seeing the completed schoolyard and being involved in the project, I realized how impactful it truly was—from the joy of the children to the heartfelt gratitude of the villagers.
Now, I’m officially a member of FIRST Global Team Vietnam. As part of the team’s tradition, we rented a house where the whole team could live together, focusing on building the robot and bonding as a group during the month-long stay. That time was filled with fun moments but also challenges and frustrations. Living with 3-4 people is already difficult, but with 12 people under one roof, the differences in lifestyles were inevitable, which made things even more complicated.
Now, I’m officially a member of FIRST Global Team Vietnam. As part of the team’s tradition, we rented a house where the whole team could live together, focusing on building the robot and bonding as a group during the month-long stay. That time was filled with fun moments but also challenges and frustrations. Living with 3-4 people is already difficult, but with 12 people under one roof, the differences in lifestyles were inevitable, which made things even more complicated.
Throughout my time applying to and being a member of Team Vietnam, I participated in numerous meetings with teams from other countries—around 25 teams in total. These calls weren’t just about building connections with international friends or understanding how other teams tackle challenges, but also about learning how they promote STEAM and spread the spirit of FIRST in their respective countries.
Throughout my time applying to and being a member of Team Vietnam, I participated in numerous meetings with teams from other countries—around 25 teams in total. These calls weren’t just about building connections with international friends or understanding how other teams tackle challenges, but also about learning how they promote STEAM and spread the spirit of FIRST in their respective countries.
One of the main missions of a FIRST Global team is to spread STEAM across all regions of their home country. Organizing a STEAM event in Lang Son was one of the ways we carried out this mission. Van Quan District, where we visited, is one of the poorest areas in the province. However, thanks to the dedication of the teachers and support from community, the STEAM community there has flourished tremendously.
One of the main missions of a FIRST Global team is to spread STEAM across all regions of their home country. Organizing a STEAM event in Lang Son was one of the ways we carried out this mission. Van Quan District, where we visited, is one of the poorest areas in the province. However, thanks to the dedication of the teachers and support from community, the STEAM community there has flourished tremendously.
And then the competition day arrived. I, along with four other team members and two mentors, boarded a 12-hour flight to Athens to compete in the international robotics competition: FIRST Global Challenge. As soon as we landed, we encountered many other teams, and it felt like the FGC had already begun. The competition lasted four days, with each team playing 12 matches and a playoff for 32 teams. Those matches brought a mix of emotions—victories and defeats, joy and disappointment, moments of regret and hope. But above all, there was the excitement of showcasing our robot and being there to compete with teams from around the world. Even though we didn’t build the best robot, it was still fun to participate and interact with people from so many different places. In the end, what stayed with me after the competition were the conversations with friends from across the globe, the photos we took together, and the souvenirs I brought home… along with two awards for media
And then the competition day arrived. I, along with four other team members and two mentors, boarded a 12-hour flight to Athens to compete in the international robotics competition: FIRST Global Challenge. As soon as we landed, we encountered many other teams, and it felt like the FGC had already begun. The competition lasted four days, with each team playing 12 matches and a playoff for 32 teams. Those matches brought a mix of emotions—victories and defeats, joy and disappointment, moments of regret and hope. But above all, there was the excitement of showcasing our robot and being there to compete with teams from around the world. Even though we didn’t build the best robot, it was still fun to participate and interact with people from so many different places. In the end, what stayed with me after the competition were the conversations with friends from across the globe, the photos we took together, and the souvenirs I brought home… along with two awards for media
SKYBOUND
SKYBOUND
The Renouveau Project
The Renouveau Project
Go build school in Bac Kan
Go build school in Bac Kan
In the early days of my journey into engineering, an older friend encouraged me to join a volunteer project aimed at raising money to build a school for children in Bac Kan. Since we were only high school students, raising 200 million VND to rebuild a whole house seemed almost impossible. So, a more practical plan was chosen: building a schoolyard for 40 million VND, just 1/5 of the original cost. Initially, I thought this wouldn’t make much of a difference for the school, but after seeing the completed schoolyard and being involved in the project, I realized how impactful it truly was—from the joy of the children to the heartfelt gratitude of the villagers.
In the early days of my journey into engineering, an older friend encouraged me to join a volunteer project aimed at raising money to build a school for children in Bac Kan. Since we were only high school students, raising 200 million VND to rebuild a whole house seemed almost impossible. So, a more practical plan was chosen: building a schoolyard for 40 million VND, just 1/5 of the original cost. Initially, I thought this wouldn’t make much of a difference for the school, but after seeing the completed schoolyard and being involved in the project, I realized how impactful it truly was—from the joy of the children to the heartfelt gratitude of the villagers.
LET’S TALK
LET’S TALK
Whether you’re fellow engineer, friend, or lost stranger, I hope you enjoy the ride.
Instgram
truonggiabinh17062007@gmail.com
LET’S TALK
LET’S TALK
Whether you’re fellow engineer, friend, or lost stranger, I hope you enjoy the ride.
Instgram
truonggiabinh17062007@gmail.com