Abu Dhabi: Groups of schoolchildren on Monday enthusiastically pored over blocks and wires, trying to build robots that would help install solar panels, plant trees or build wind farms.
They were participating in the national World Robot Olympiad, a two-day competition organised by the emirate of Abu Dhabi’s education sector regulator, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), to test the robotics skills of students.
A total of 1,200 students, organised into 400 teams, are set to participate in this year’s national competition, and winners will have a chance to represent the UAE in the World Robot Olympiad this November.
“The earlier a child is exposed to science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related activities and projects, the easier it becomes to build, design and innovate. Robotics competition such as this also provide hands-on experiences, and translate children’s classroom learning into active participation,” said Dr Najla Al Naqbi, manager for innovation and e-learning at the Adec.
“For the last nine years, we have been organising this exciting national contest for youth across the UAE. Last year, one of our teams placed third in a category, while another stood seventh, and this shows the growing capabilities of our students,” she added.
The national competition follows the themes and rules of the World Robot Olympiad, which has designated sustainability as this year’s focus. Dr Al Naqbi said the theme correlates with the UAE’s aspiration to maintain an eco-friendly and green environment.
Students participate in one of three categories, and each has different challenges for various age groups. Within the Regular category, robots are assigned a particular mission that they must complete. In the Open category, robots must be constructed to perform sustainability-related tasks. And in the Football category, a pair of autonomous robots acts as goalie and striker, and play a football match against another pair.
“Students in the open category are not only judged based on their programming capabilities, but on their research skills, imagination, and ability to present. They need to convince judges that their robot deserves to win. In this way, the Olympiad helps equip the future engineer with communication and presentation skills, and the future artist with IT-related know-how and experience,” Dr Al Naqbi said.
A group of 18 teams will be selected as winners in the various age-group segregated categories, and will head to Costa Rica in November for the World Robot Olympiad.
