Robots “saving the global environment”. This is the theme of the recently concluded World Robot Olympiad held in Yokohama, Japan bringing together students from twenty one (21) countries including China, India, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, Qatar and Oman. The WRO brings together young scientists from all over the world to develop their creativity and problem solving skills through basic engineering, mechatronics, communications and computer technology. Grand awardees of the Philippine Robotics Olympiad held in Manila composed the Philippine Robotics Team who competed in the WRO last October 31-November 3. The schools are : Nemesio Yabut Elementary School, Grace Christian College (Elem level), International School Manila, Philippine Science High School Bicol Campus, First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH) and Benigno Aquino High School. The students were ages between 10years – 15 years old.
Team Gracean Whizkids composed of Joseph Aldrin Chua, Edrich Hans Chua and Dominique Hannah Sy of Grace Christian College (Elem level) won the Silver medal for their entry “Green Whiz community and the G-tech Robots”. The coach, Melanie Tizon guided the students with their design and programming.The robots were built with LEGO robotics kits and with different robots performing tasks to save the global environment. An example would be the Next Gen Car, a lightweight hydrogen powered car , air pollution monitorbot, to monitor the level of carbon dioxide in the air, E-sorter robot, that sort garbage to be reduced, re-used and recycled, H20 Treatment robot, designed to filter waste water from a factory for safe disposal and Forest Surveillance Robot, designed to maintain the balance of life in our forests. Dr. Ruby Cristobal, OIC-Science and Technology Promotions, Department of Science and Technology was given the award by the World Robot Olympiad Committee as BEST JUDGE.
“We need to excite our learners and provide creative opportunities for them to learn science and technology” said Mylene Abiva, President/ CEO, FELTA Multi-Media Inc. and National Organizer , Philippine Robotics Olympiad. “We have proven that the Filipino young engineers are brilliant and can compete with students from technology-driven countries”, Abiva said.
The Philippine Robotics Olympiad is in partnership with the Science Education Institute-Department of Science and Technology, supported by Department of Education . Sponsored by SM Foundation, LEGO watch (No Curfew), AZ Direct Marketing and Mc Kesters. For more information, please call Coni Inocencio 912-1397/ 438-1756 or felta@pldtdsl.net
