winners – a travel voucher to the competition in Singapore
Space rockets and self -propelled cars
Young innovators from all over Lithuania met in the national finals of the World Robotics Olympiad (WRO) and formed as many as 32 teams. In the WRRO Robomisse category, participants competed in three different age groups: Elementary (8-12), Junior (11-15) and Senior (14-19). Children had to do research on Mars, run rockets, or resolve obstacles to this process: to take samples and to present laboratory tests.
This year, the organizers presented an innovation of the event, the new Future Engineers for older students and students (14-22). These participants created robots with self -driving mechanisms and conducted missions related to daily human problems and presented innovative solutions to them.
There is a real friendship here and, while the technical part is very important, it sometimes fades against the teamwork and the relationship between the participants.
Lithuania will also be represented by the Kaunas Lego Stars team in the world competition. Their coach Vilma Plutienė said that the team’s victory was driven by hard and consistent work: « I am proud of our team’s ignition and discipline. During the preparation phase we did not count hours and practice.
In the Junior group, the victory was won and the road to Singapore won the victory – Klaipeda Ku Steam Engineers. Their coach Gediminas Gricius was delighted with the success of the team and did not hide that a rich summer was waiting: « We plan to travel to a robotics camp in Hungary. Thanks to the stubbornness of the teams, we will go to the world for the second year in a row.
On the day of the event, the teams had to compete independently, without the help of teachers-trainers. This develops the responsibility and autonomy of participants. According to such rules, the WRO Association tournaments are organized worldwide.
Photo by A. Aleksandravičius
More than a race
Intensive preparation for this level of competition usually takes several months, but children involved in the robotics world live continuously.
Kleudija Pelanytė, one of the main organizers of this year’s WRO national finals, said that this competition is far more than technological competencies: “Tournament children are waiting more than you can imagine, fades against the teamwork and the connection between the participants. ”
The National Finals of the Olympics take place in Lithuania for the third time. The challenge of the organizers each year is to increase the number of participants at least 10 percent, almost double this year.
« Children participating in national competitions are ambitious and perseverance. I have repeatedly noted that they are most motivated by challenges. At the last minute before the mission, the robot does not work? For others, it would be a problem for ours. – noted K. Pelanytė.
Photo by A. Aleksandravičius
A strong basis for innovation
The World Robotics Olympiad has been organized for 20 years, more than 120 countries. Giedrius Vaidelis, one of the main organizers of the final competition, the director of Kaunas Students’ Technical Creative Creative Center, was pleased with the exclusivity of Lithuanians: “I have participated in many global robotics. The tendency is clear to the technology.
Robotics activities help children to acquire technological, engineering, creative and organizational skills, which undoubtedly turn into a strong basis not only for the emergence of innovation but also for their smart management.
