THEY are the first non-American team in the history of this tournament to be crowned world champions.

It was a proud homecoming for 10 Singaporeans and their coaches, after they beat teams from 23 other countries at this year's First Lego League World Festival in Atlanta from 17 -19 Apr.

The 10-year-old contest requires students to build and program robots to perform various tasks.

Singapore's victorious team, External Fusion, was made up of students from Singapore Chinese Girls' School (SCGS), River Valley High School and Juying Primary School, who had earlier won prizes at the local First Lego League in December.

Kelly Chong, 12, one of the participants from Juying Primary, said she was overjoyed. 'It was a big surprise because we thought one US team's entry was more consistent.'

Fellow team member Michelle Tee, 14, from SCGS, added: 'We screamed so loudly when we found out we had won. One of our team members was so excited she lost her shoe.'

The students said they worked on their robots for two months, after classes on weekdays and during the school holidays.

The SCGS girls focused on research, while the students from River Valley High and Juying Primary concentrated on building the robots.

'We split the work up, then met up to share and discuss our ideas,' said Juying pupil Ng Gek Yang, 12.

The team arrived in Atlanta in high spirits last week and couldn't wait to compete, said Mr Yeow Yuen Tan, teacher-in-charge of Juying Primary's robotics club, who accompanied them on the five-day trip. 'They were so excited, they couldn't sleep at night.'

Contestants had to make sure their robot completed several actions, such as placing a miniature solar panel on the roof of a model house.

They were given points for each task completed.

Former US president George Bush Sr. was a guest of honour at the event.

For the last three years, the winning teams were invited to the White House to meet his son, the current US president George W Bush. Up till this year, all the winners of the First Lego League trophy were from the US.

And though the Singapore team will not have this opportunity, they said they were grateful for the new friends they made during the trip.

Said SCGS student Sarah Shum, 15: 'We made friends with people from many other countries.

'It wasn't all about winning.'

Mrs Cha Wai Mun, teacher-mentor for the SCGS girls, was unable to attend, but watched the award ceremony via webcam.

She said: 'It was a very special moment as we watched them go on stage to receive their award.'

Added Mr Teo Tai Wei, who coached the River Valley students: 'They spent many hours of hard work on this. The championship award was the best reward for all.'

The trip was sponsored by Elpmis International Private Limited, a company which partnered First Lego League in organising the local tournament.