ROBOTIC TOURNAMENTS
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ROBOTIC TOURNAMENTS
The robotics tournaments of the WRO Association (World Robot Olympiad Association), are held in four different categories for students from 8 to 19 years old.
FUNDESTEAM has been appointed as the WRO Association's Regional Representative for Latin America in order to ensure that many young people benefit from the WRO robotics tournaments in Central and South America and the Caribbean. FUNDESTEAM's role focused on getting more countries to send delegations to participate in the WRO Panama 2023 World Final, for which 13 new National Organizers from the region joined. Likewise, the last edition of WRO Panama 2023 achieved the largest participation of countries in the history of a WRO final: 81 countries and 1,179 participants..
In 2024 FUNDESTEAM will manage the growth of pilot initiatives in the development of STEAM skills among students across Latin America, thus leaving a legacy in STEAM education beyond Panama.
General rules:
Teams can participate in four di erent categories, separated by age groups.
A team consists of 2 or 3 participants guided by a coach. Each team will design, build and program a robot model that is able to complete a challenge based on the theme of the competition.
Categories:
This category is challenge-based. Students will create an autonomous robot that can solve specific challenges on a track, according to the theme of the year and age group. The age groups are divided into Elementary (8 to 12 years), Junior (11 to 15 years) and Senior (14 to 19 years).
This category presents a fun and exciting challenge. Each team participates with two autonomous robots in a match of a given sport (e.g. doubles tennis). Participants range in age from 11 to 19 years old.
This category is aimed at participants with advanced robotics skills following current research trends. With this format, the aim is to involve students in an engineering workflow that solves real-world problems. The current challenge is to build an autonomous robot that completes a cycle of laps on a track (there may be variations every 3 or 4 years). Participants will range in age from 14 to 19 years old.
This is a project-based category, where creative solutions play a key role in the judges' decision. Participants develop their own smart robotic solution related to the theme of the season. Participants will range in age from 8 to 19 years old.
Resources:
Learn about the World Robotics Association (Home - WRO Association)
Access information about the National Olympiad and Regional Tournaments in Panama
World Robot Olympiad 2023 (WRO Panama 2023)
Allied National Organizers of FUNDESTEAM in Latin America:
- Antigua & Barbuda: DadliBots
- Argentina: Escuela de Robótica Misiones
- Barbados: Barbados Robotics Team – Combermere School
- Brazil: Robomind
- Chile: FEDUSTEAM
- Costa Rica: Fundación STEAM Costa Rica
- Guatemala: Steam Group
- Guyana: Volunteer Youth Corps
- Haití: Haiti Stem Alliance Project
- México: FUNDESTEAM México
- Paraguay: Fundación Paraguaya
- Dominican Republic: Fundación STEAM RD
- Venezuela: FUNDESTEAM Venezuela
Testimonials:
SEA TITANS team from San Miguelito, Panama. Category: Future Engineers Junior (11-15 years old)
Members:
Carlos Jaramillo - Jonathan Rodríguez Sofia Villarreal - Aixa Garrido (coach)
“It is known that there are experiences that are unforgettable, this was one of them. We laughed, we danced, we made friends from other countries, we grew in knowledge, we matured as people and we learned to value collaborative work. It was amazing to see the diversity of cultures and to get to know them. Really, it was a dream come true, we were not uncomfortable to see the advanced projects of other countries, we assumed our responsibility and commitment to represent our country with pride, giving the best of each one of us”
RoboticStar Team from Panama Centro, Panama. Category: Future Engineers Junior (11-15 years old).
Members:
Maria Manzo - Diego Espinoza Lucila Córdoba (Coach)
“Participating in WRO 2023 was a life-changing experience. First we faced challenges and defy to which we were able to find solutions. Then the surprise of being able to go from regional to national was too exciting. Nerves, endurance, tears of joy and celebration opened new horizons, new ways of looking at life. Finally, getting to an international Olympiad, just by being there, allowed us to observe, learn, understand and experience new points of view and possibilities. We gained new friendships, confidence and hope for a better future. Without a doubt, an experience that positively changes the way you see the world”
Dipsi Girls Team, San Miguelito, Panama. Category: Future Engineers Elementary (8-12 years old)
Members:
Sade Henríquez - Ana Caballero Rebeca Araúz
“For us to have participated in the International Robot Olympiad, Panama 2023, was an unforgettable experience where we learned to work hard and be responsible with our tasks, we also met new friends from other cultures and also improved our skills in computer science, electronics, programming and mechanics in general, making our robot more autonomous to meet the objective and challenge of the competition.
This competition was not easy because we had many difficulties and setbacks, but despite the things that happened to us, we gave all our best effort to leave our country high, showing that if we are perseverant and constant we can achieve what we want”