Report 2020 World Robot Olympiad
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W o r l d R o b o t Oly mpiad™
Annual
Report 2020
Premium Partners
2020:
Finding new ways to engage
When COVID-19 first started to spread and both our community and our sponsors. Like and having fun. The one category where this Final will be an online event hosted by WRO
physical events were being canceled, we having a virtual venue which makes it easy all comes together is the Open category. Association. WRO Canada showed us that
thought that this was a temporary setback. As and fun for visitors to explore online events, Which works incredibly well online: Teams it is possible to create an engaging online
everyone knows by now, this wasn’t the case, showcasing the teams, activities and not upload video presentations of often thought- event, and with WRO2020-X as a source
and we had to cancel WRO®’s equivalent to least partners in a much more efficient way. provoking projects, which judges can go inspiration, we know we can create a high
New Year’s Eve: the big international final in over before inviting selected teams for live quality, fun and memorable final for our
November. But despite loosing our final, and interviews and judging. We will continue community.
having to change the way we engage our The work to get to explore how to grow the Open category
community, the year has ended on a much as an online competition, as we can make Thank you to our partners, National
more positive note, than it began. more kids interested in room for more teams online than in a physical Organizers and volunteers.
Here is why:
STEM did not stop just venue.
After a rough spring most of our member because we could not In 2020 we also saw the first winners of the
countries adjusted to the new normal. The Girls in STEM Award by Juniper Networks.
work to get more kids interested in STEM meet them face to face.” The aim of the award is to celebrate great
did not stop, just because we could not initiatives from our National Organizers to Claus Ditlev Christensen, Secretary General
Claus Ditlev Christensen,
meet them face to face. Many National attract more girls to WRO competitions – and
Secretary General, WRO Association.
Organizers started creating online solutions STEM education. We’ve had initiatives on
to keep their teams engaged and learning. country level, but the award enables us to
WRO Russia did an online invitational, WRO When it is possible to run live events again, discover and share best practice on a global
Panama hosted a virtual competition and we will run live events. But we will explore scale.
WRO Canada, who would have hosted the how virtual events can expand the WRO
2020 final, worked hard to create an online experience and invite more people in. And In 2021 we hope a large number of our
tournament to replace the live event. we will continue to develop new solutions, member countries will be able to do some
also with partners, to create more value version of live tournaments, so teams can
COVID-19 has caused a drop in revenue for going forward. qualify for this year’s International Final. The
WRO Association, but we have managed World Robot Olympiad™ stands for 21st planned physical event in Germany has been
to come up with new ideas that can benefit century skills, teamwork, problem solving postponed to 2022. The 2021 International
2
Contents
2 2020: Finding new ways to engage
4 WRO numbers 2020
5 How WRO works: From the first coding to advanced challenges
6 Handling 2020
6 Canada: First online competition a success
7 Egypt: Using Virtual Robotics Toolkit to reach more kids
8 Switzerland: 10 new all-girls teams
8 Germany: Digitalization in the time of Corona
9 Lessons from the pandemic
11 Insights from Innopolis
12 A great plan for recruiting teams in the US
13 #WRO2020X online
14 First time judging an online event
15 Introducing more Girls to STEM
17 A virtual playground for robotics
18 Students to program self-driving cars
19 WRO impact on learning
20 How we are organized
21 Premium Partner: Juniper Networks
22 Premium Partner: LEGO Education
23 Help us foster the inventors of tomorrow
24 Academic partners: Special scholarships for WRO alumni
3
WRO numbers 2020
25%
85+
A quarter of the Number of Compared to normal Almost half of the
member countries WRO member years, less than 1/5 member countries
did other events to countries of the kids were had to cancel
keep community reached with our the season*
involved* competitions*
*Based on surveys with National Organizers in 2020.
4
How WRO works: international final. Past finals have been held
all over the world, from Costa Rica to China.
World Robot Olympiad provides plenty
The four competition
categories:
From basic coding to of opportunities for cultural exchange at
friendship tournaments and the international
final. WRO friends often stay in touch after
• REGULAR
- a challenge-based competition
advanced challenges
in which students have to design,
competitions to share ideas and feedback. construct and program their robots
to solve specific challenges on
Fun facilitates learning a field. Points are awarded for
While playing games and making friends, completed tasks.
From small teams to cross-cultural with the host country of the international our participants learn invaluable skills.
friendships, we believe our final. Rules for other events are set by WRO’s Robotics uniquely brings together physics, • OPEN
approach to teaching robotics team of expert advisors and find a balance math, engineering, coding, electronics, - a project-based competition in
between challenging the participants and project management, and 21st century skills
through competitions has the which students create their own
keeping things open, interesting and fun. in a dynamic, fun activity. Making it fun and intelligent robotics solution related
most impact. practical facilitates learning, encourages to the theme of the season. Teams
New friends across borders innovation, and gives kids a sense of their present their project and robot
World Robot Olympiad’s competitions WRO participants compete at the local and ability to make a difference. model to a group of judges on the
spand four categories: national level for the right to compete in the competition day.
• Regular
• Open • WRO FOOTBALL
• WRO Football - a fun game with two teams of
• Future Engineers autonomous robots playing football
(soccer). Every year small changes
These are open to students aged 6-19 years. are introduced to motivate the
Each team is made up of 2-3 members who students to keep developing their
work together to solve exciting challenges. robots.
Each season the challenges and theme for
the Regular and Open category are created • NEW: FUTURE ENGINEERS
To keep WRO challenges relevant,
we’ve launched Future Engineers,
Did you know a new category that’s all about
autonomous driving.
Participants spend roughly 65 hours
coding before a regional event Read more about the categories on our
– and many more for national and website.
international events.
5
Handling 2020
National organizers approach to the new normal
Canada: created an online competition in the
beginning of May, where 80 kids who were
Real robots instead of virtual
The competition, a pilot to find out if WRO
Bruneau, National Organizer, teaming with
Marianne and the judges did a small judge
First online lucky enough to have their robots at home
joined in.
Canada might be able to do a regional or
National Final the same way, was held with
rehearsal – and trusted the kids to be ready
and fully prepared for the challenge.
competition “The kids were SO happy to be able to
real robots. Marianne Bruneau says:
Challenge on Zoom
a success participate in a small event, even if they were
not with their friends and other participants.
“Some countries use virtual, but we prefer
it this way. Sometimes kids build robots in
On the day, the kids and their parents
connected to the main Zoom call for an
People enjoyed this so much. We didn’t think a funny way that wouldn’t fit in the virtual opening ceremony, after which the kids were
WRO Canada was supposed to host the it was going to be so warmly welcomed,” environment, but they work in real life.” placed in six Zoom rooms with a Zone01
International Final 2020. Their robotics says Marianne Bruneau, part of the judge – it took about two hours to do two
season was planned to run in April-May, with Organizing Committee, WRO2020 Canada, The biggest challenge was to synchronize rounds per team.
the National Final on May 31, but schools Zone01. everything without a test-run. At a normal The challenge was called RobotMarket and
closed without warning and everything was event you build the venue the day before, was mainly about grocery shopping. Robots
canceled. Instead, the national organizer meet coaches and try all equipment. Dominic had to deliver fruits and vegetables in the
6
right sections of grocery stores. The kids Canada believed they could run a National reported the highest number of cases of
used real fruits and vegetables: Oranges, Final in a similar way. But it would need COVID-19 in Canada, having more infections Key learnings Canada’s first
apples, cucumbers and broccoli were being a whole lot more preparation, and more than all the rest of Canada combined. Not online event
moved around on the mats. One participant, ‘masters’, as Marianne calls it, to control the surprisingly, all physical events were paused. #1 Parents could act as judges in a
a 7-year-old girl in the WeDo category, had calls, the ceremonies and the participants. bigger event as they are together with
an apple in Round 1. By Round 2 there was She says: Zone01 has online clubs in three cities, where the kids. They see the mat and the round
only the heart of the apple left. robotics instructors teach using Zoom. The and can take the scores easier than an
“We saw that with only 80 kids, parents kids just order a little mat, and they can learn outside judge who has to ask the kids to
After their rounds, the kids returned to the coming along and families too, so we had in their kitchen. move the camera to see clearly.
main Zoom call for the closing ceremony and a lot of people connected to all those calls.
to see who won. Extra awards were given – You also need to make sure you are on “It’s all about taking advantage of the fact #2 Having commentators in each
an Engineering Award and the Biggest Smile time and not late on the schedule. In short, that people don’t have to move to learn. You Zoom call was a great idea! It brought
Award – because Marianne and her team preparation is the key!” can learn everything online. Kids, even if they life and excitement to the event.
wanted a fun and not too competitive event. are on vacation, they like learning and doing
People don’t have to move to learn projects. This is life 2.0 and we need to build #3 A really good internet connection
Possible online final WRO Canada has their headquarters in the on it.” with no risk of losing it is key!
After this first online competition, WRO province of Quebec. Back then Quebec
Egypt: Using shops close after 5 pm.
The plan is to do a virtual final instead of the
symposium 2020. Even before the pandemic
we wanted more kids to participate in WRO.
are students come from our offline camps,
who wanted to study something during
Virtual Robotics National Final. We have experience from
organizing other events, like the National
We don’t have LEGO Education here, so VRT
is a way to give more kids access to robotics.
COVID-19. A few come from outside of
Egypt. A course takes 6 weeks.
Toolkit to reach Science Fair, which has been virtual this year.
For the WRO final we can use the Virtual We have been training
more kids Robotics Toolkit (VRT) as a good solution to
reach teams.
students using our
pedagogical framework
I am also doing a social media soccer game since July last year. We have
Marwa Soudi, our National Organizer in with my team, and we are looking to do a had a second round starting
Egypt and co-founder of Ideas Gym, sees Regular category online, depending on what in March 2020 with around
VRT as a way to give more kids access to possibilities VRT presents. 50 students. The age range
robotics. We had a talk with her in spring is 10-17, both girls and
about their 2020 season: How are you using VRT? boys.
I’ve been training participants since last
What is the situation? summer. This training won second place in They don’t come to us
We’ve been semi locked down since DigiEduHack Espoo led by United National through schools, but find
the middle of March, with schools and Technology Innovation Lab in Finland and us on our social media
universities closed. Many work from home, Alto University. The same training was platform, which has started
we can’t have any kind of gatherings, and nominated to UNESCO Mobile learning to become known. Some
7
Germany:
Digitalization
in the time of
Corona
When we talked to Germany about
their situation in June, a survey had
just showed them that an online What are you doing for partners?
competition wasn’t the way to go. We We announced a school prize with
talked to Markus Fleige, Chairman of our premium partner IBM Germany
the TECHNIK BEGEISTERT association. and gold partner LEGO Education.
The award is called ‘GENIAL DIGITAL
What is the situation? 2020’ – Digitization in times of the
Switzerland: Mehr Girls in Robotik
One of the things WRO Switzerland worked
All physical events are canceled
until June/July. Our season is end
Corona crisis. We’ve done a similar
award before, but this year we honor a
10 new all-girls on in 2020 is a project to engage more girls
in Robotics – called ‘Mehr Girls in Robotik’.
of April till the end of June, so it has
been impossible to host official WRO
school that is handling the Corona crisis
with the help of digital teaching and
teams Every coach who registered a new all-girls
team in addition to his registered boys team,
tournaments. The same goes for all
regional events and the German final.
learning opportunities. The goal is to
make digital teaching ideas and learning
received an EV3 robot for their school, as We discussed pros and cons of different offers visible to others.
With the feedback from coaches the Swiss schools don’t always have enough materials scenarios with partners: How much
National Organizer and their partners for multiple teams to compete. should be canceled, different timelines Is the German government doing
planned four smaller competitions in and discussed other opportunities to something to promote STEM?
November. Three of them mixing Junior and “In cooperation with the Swiss Science engage. The Ministry of Education started an
Elementary categories, the fourth for Seniors. Olympiads we were able to give away 10 initiative to ‘stay smart’. They publish
robots thanks to the financial support of a How do you keep kids engaged? joint projects for STEM activities you
“We have space for a total of 100 teams. If fund for gender balance,” Monika Koch says. Since we could only do online activities, can do online, and we are a part of this
we can organize it, the winners can attend a we asked kids to send videos with ideas with our online video initiative. Home
Friendship Invitational in 2021,” says Monika In total 120 teams registered in 2020. With from home. We award the best video schooling is a new topic in Germany, so
Koch, National Organizer in Switzerland. the existing 15 girls/mixed teams, that means each month. This gives us content for with kids at home and normal teaching
there would have been 25 all-girl or mixed social media, while offering something not being possible, meaningful activities
To observe rules a maximum of 80 people teams. So the initiative has significantly to keep our community engaged. are welcome.
were allowed at the November competitions. increased the number of girls registered.
8
Lessons from the pandemic
What we learned from a the situation developed and maybe do in countries where WRO is more or less the We also helped our partner Juniper Networks
challenging year, how lock-downs something later. After summer it was clear for only option for kids who want to learn how to prepare the Girls in STEM Award, and talked
most, that physical events could not happen, program.” with the National Organizer in Canada about
changed our approach to robotics
but National Organizers tried to continue their plans to organize an alternative to the
competitions and what we ought their work. The program manager says: Preparing WRO 2.0 – and 2021 international final, WRO2020-X.
to carry forward with us. Instead of planning events, the WRO
“National Organizers, many who are Association team worked on updating and As the year progressed it became evident that
The beginning of 2020 started like any other volunteers and have their own problems, developing the program – a well-deserved the pandemic would also be a challenge in
WRO season: Our program manager traveled have shown resilience and drive to do update. WRO 2.0 as we call it will be 2021. So we made the decision to cancel the
to the host country of the year for a kick-off something. This has been especially true implemented when the 2022 season starts. physical international final in 2021 and instead
meeting with the team, work was going on host an online event. This is so that our
with the year’s Friendship Invitationals and member countries can better plan their local
collaborations with our partners. But then season, WRO Association has time to plan
all large physical events were canceled to and create a great online competition – and
prevent further spread of COVID-19. With the to ensure that Germany can host a physical
new situation came a very different season. event a year later.
“Instead of planning physical events,
we made a collection of tips and tricks Important partnerships
for National Organizers. I also made Everyone has had a tough 2020, including
arrangements so countries that were about NGO’s such as WRO. We would have been
to start as WRO members in 2020 could do in trouble had it not been for our trusted
that a year later,” program manager Karen partners who all stayed with us. This allowed
Bebelaar says. us to continue our work and to plan the
coming years. Despite the fact that they also
Already in June some countries knew, had to deal with the pandemic in their own
especially Latin America, that schools would businesses, some of our partners, like Juniper
be closed until the end of the year. And if the Networks, still found the time to create
kids didn’t have robots at home, National activities with us.
Organizers couldn’t do much.
New member countries waiting
Karen interviewed most of the WRO Countries ready to start in 2020, like
member countries during late spring about Bangladesh, Estonia and Portugal, were put
their challenges. Many decided to cancel on hold due to COVID-19, but we expect
their seasons, others to wait and see how new member countries when things return
9
to normal. The African continent is a focus Whether it should be organizing virtual
What we did in 2020 2021, so that Germany could keep their area, and Kenya will most likely become a competitions or focus on training. The
game and theme ideas for 2022. This fast member country in 2021. This is exciting pandemic has showed us that we need to
Develop a ‘Corona Package’ process was possible because we worked for our partners, as countries in Africa are a speed up the process.
Directly after we decided to cancel WRO closely together and people from the growing economical force. They also have a
2020 in Canada, we prepared information German team joined in. So now quality large number of young people eager to learn WRO Association is a small team which gives
materials for National Organizers to games are ready for 2021 and for 2022! and take part in the development. We want to us flexibility. But in times like these it is also
share ideas on how to run competitions grow in the region and work with partners to our weak spot: we can’t create an online
online. Included was a training curriculum Develop a new registration system achieve it. version of our competition in a short time.
and a ‘CORONA-pack of math and We looked for a new online registration During 2020 some National Organizers
programming assignments. This was system and tool for even before COVID-19. Exploring more online quickly made their own plans for online
shared end of April. Our current system is almost 6 years old There are many different approaches WRO events, while others did not have the
and it cannot be used for multiple events and views on teaching robotics, Some resources to quickly develop this. Going
Updating to WRO 2.0 at the same time. The new system is ready National Organizers feel, that you need a forward we want to work on online WRO
We already had plans to update our in early 2021, a year with no physical physical robot in your hands to learn both content that we can offer National Organizers
structure and programs, but decided in events, but we will use it for organizational mechanics and coding, so online can’t give at times like these.
April to use time in 2020 to start earlier work (membership agreements) and you everything you need. Others focus on
with the so-called WRO 2.0 process. registration for our online final. coding, which is easy to do online.
This meant meetings with the Board To learn more about the impact of COVID-19
and Advisory Council, surveys amongst Online meetings WRO Association has long been looking on school education in 2020, see the OECD
member countries and online discussions Sometimes it takes a crisis to open up into the way we want to be present online. report on the subject.
with a group from the Advisory Council. to new ways of doing things. In this
The result was a full package which the case online meetings. The year of the
board approved in August. The upcoming pandemic saw the first online meetings
changes were presented to our member for our Board of Directors and Advisory
countries in October. Most of the Council, which might prove useful going
conceptual work will be done in 2021, but forward. The same goes for the first
we started to prepare game updates and webinars with all our National Organizers,
rules, develop a new sports game and the which have had very good responses. This
overall WRO branding. WRO 2.0 will be makes it possible to have more meetings
released January 2022. in the year, staying up to date, talking
and discussing, instead of only sending
Season Games emails and newsletters. Also, the meetings
After the normal procedure with the could take place in a more relaxed setting,
host country for 2021 (Germany) was compared to the usual National Organizer
halted, we developed new games for meetings at busy events.
WRO Association as the Host Country in
10Insights from be trusted with determining
the winner. It was replaced
by a human. This meant live
Innopolis commenting like in football
matches, a feature that
proved very popular.
Another issue, which
2020 saw many decided to move the nobody could have
National Organizers competition online,” says foreseen, was that
and partners come Rustam Kagapov, project participants managed to
manager, Olympiad Robotics break a virtual robot. When
up with new ways to
at Innopolis University. participant’s did certain
keep our young robot actions in the simulator,
enthusiasts engaged. It took a lot of work to move parts of the grip model of
One of them is our the robotics competition the manipulator flew off. The
university partner online. A big obstacle was organizers concluded that
in Russia, Innopolis the participants’ lack of even models for simulators
equipment. But Innopolis would have to be made
University.
University’s partners vandal resistant in the future.
– robotic schools and
They usually host ‘Innopolis training centers – had the Virtually together
Open University Olympiad’ hardware and wanted to similarly: on the competition Underwater Vehicles’: The Complications and fixes An important aspect was
but like so many other events help. A committee prepared day the judges announced Center for Development of There were technical making everyone in the
in 2020 it got canceled. tasks and assessment part of the conditions: Robotics from Vladivostok problems along the way, competition feel like they
Instead of disappointing the criteria, drew up rules and placement of elements on helped Innopolis University but they were solved on were in it together.
participants, the university regulations, consulted with the training ground, loaded with the direction. the go by the team of
made a quick decision to participants and conducted the participants’ programs Participants was to explore specialists and partners. “We made some
recreate the competition in selections. Participants into the simulator and a seabed. In the simulator, Like an automatic evaluation entertainment and activities,
an online format. We talked had to complete tasks on broadcast the process of find baskets equipped that was supposed to not forgetting the open and
to project manager Rustam virtual and real remote fields completing the task. If the with pingers that emit an take place in the category closing ceremonies, which
Kagapov to find out what via video communication. robot under the control of acoustic signal, have their “Manipulation IRS”. A whole were more informal than at
they learned from going Tasks that didn’t differ much the participants’ program robot drop markers into the park of computers were live events. The children said
online. from those of the real life managed the task, the team baskets, and float in a loop deployed and a special they liked this version better,
competition. was awarded points. near the water’s surface. In toolkit for evaluation was because the find it boring to
“We already had some its MUR Edu simulator, the configured on it. But at the listen to people they don’t
simulators that could work Loaded into simulator An example of doing a center prepared scenes last moment it became clear know,” Rustam Kagapov says.
online, so after talking to Competitions in all category, the ‘Intelligent and broadcast them to that the program-judge
our partners we quickly categories were organized Autonomous Unmanned participants. made mistakes and couldn’t
11A great plan
for recruiting teams
in the US
Participants don’t just transfer the relationships already in place. In the end,
from a physical competition to some of them were convinced to participate
online. But WRO USA had a plan in the online competition which took place
on September 12th.
for recruiting teams for their
online tournament. Read on to Reaching new teams on social media
discover how they exceeded their Next approach was to use Facebook ads
goal. targeted fans to reach new teams. For target
audience WRO USA chose people interested
Back in spring 2020 WRO USA was in the in robotics, STEM, and FLL participants. They
middle of planning for local and national also added a new group: home schoolers.
events, when all physical events had to be This year WRO USA gained a lot of popularity Key insights
canceled due to COVID-19. But the national from that community. They hadn’t thought to 1) If you run ads 3) Communicate with local hosts
organizer wanted to make sure participants approach them, but LEGO Education in the - run them for at least two weeks. Facebook - to get their support. For the online
could still pursue their passion for robotics. US gave them the idea. Facebook, who owns machine learning needs this time to get to tournament in september, there was no
Instagram, suggested that Instagram was the know your target audience. WRO USA put prior qualifier event, any US citizen could
And so WRO USA started the big project of best platform to reach the home schooler the ad up for more than two weeks, which participate. This means that local partners
organizing a national event online. community, as it’s popular with the mothers. gave better results and more engagement. have no incentive to help out, talk to teams
Convincing existing teams to try the new The ads were a great success and resulted in and promote the event. WRO USA had
online format was a challenge. There are a return on investment of 400%. 2) Be flexible monthly meetings with them to discuss
several reasons why: many coaches and Because of social distancing WRO USA updates, gain trust and ensure two-way
parents are focused on getting their lives As WRO USA is still a very young organization had to change the rules to fit the online communication. Letting them understand,
back on track while the country recovers from building their WRO community, the goal they format. One example: teams are usually that even if they don’t get an immediate
the pandemic. Also, some of the younger set for themselves was 30 teams. Registration 2-3 students, but for this event one student benefit, it’s a great way for them to stay
kids don’t like to do work in front of a camera. closed on August 31st, and 39 teams signed could represent the whole team. close with local teams and set them up for
Existing teams were contacted through email up for the online invitational. success for the next season.
and ongoing communication helped build on
12Find the
results from
#WRO2020X
on WRO Canada’s
website
#WRO2020X online
When the International Final got canceled, WRO Canada instead created an
amazing online event, complete with opening and closing ceremonies! Visit or
revisit the event by watching the recap video
13First time judging an online event
Ice Yam Adam Flieber Laila Berchane Danie Heymans
Hong Kong Hungary Morocco South Africa
Judging experience: Judging experience: Judging experience: Judging experience:
10 years . 3 years at regional, 2 years Regular and 8 years as international
national and Open. WRO2020-X first head judge for Open
international events. international WRO event. Junior.
What was the best part of judging What was the best part of judging What was the best part of judging What was the best part of judging
WRO2020-X? WRO2020-X? WRO2020-X? WRO2020-X?
That I see how the teams try to solve That we were not left without WRO and LEGO I had a chance to collaborate online with Seeing the projects and innovative solutions
problems, even if they can’t complete the robotics during the pandemic. Despite some judges from all over the world and discuss for present day problems from young minds.
whole mission. This is true learning. glitches, it was important to have an event missions. I was amazed by how head judges I’m in awe of the enthusiasm and effort of
like this. I was glad to judge it and admire handled the discussions and the challenges teams to put something together under
The most challenging part? Canada’s effort under the circumstances. faced by judges from different time zones. difficult circumstances.
In WRO 2020-X we judged by videos, so we
had to score according to what the team did The most challenging part? The most challenging part? The most challenging part?
in the video. Camera angles and the quality of That it was online without physical contact, Having to make calls on videos where Dealing with different time zones and
the videos made judging more difficult. And talking with the teams or coffee-breaks with sometimes the lines are not as clear. coordinating teams and judges for live
if the judge had questions, there was no way other judges. I missed them all. Sometimes those calls could make a huge interviews. But it was solvable with a little
to confirm it with the students. difference for the team’s ranking. preparation. Some judges were 16 hours
The biggest surprise? apart and some interviews happened early
The biggest surprise? At the Surprise challenge we could work at What could be done differently for the hours of the morning for judges.
Since in many countries people can’t go out, different hours in my group. Suddenly we next online event?
and students can’t go to school, they don’t had to work at the same time for the Regular I liked how the judging was done, but I think The biggest surprise?
have enough time to test and practice. But challenge and I could not read the mail in some teams had difficulties to set the camera How teams adapted to the new format of
many teams love robotics and still managed time. The poor Mexican judge waited for me correctly or to set the field. Teams could be online interviews and how much fun we had!
to learn – and join the WRO2020-X. some hours before I logged in. asked to send a picture of their setup prior
to submission to be approved by judges to What could be done differently for the
What could be done differently for the What could be done differently for the make sure they are not solving the wrong next online event?
next online event? next online event? missions. If teams submit a report as well as a video,
I think we can provide clearer guidelines for I would ensure the quality of the videos, the judges would get a better idea of each
the teams on how to record a video. especially sound wise. project and could prepare better questions.
14Introducing more
Girls to STEM
To encourage young focus of the first competition is past
women to become future projects, where national organizers
inventors and scientists, have already succeeded in on-
our premium partner boarding more girls. The other is
future projects with potential to
Juniper Networks has
on-board more girls. CMO Mike Marcellin, Juniper mastering coding and robotics can in Robotik!’ project in 2019. From
introduced a new award All National Organizers in WRO Networks, called to tell the National be fun. 2019 to 2020 they increased the
including a prize - more than 80 countries – can Organizers who won the news. number of female participants 113%
of US$10,000. enter both the competitions. A 113% more girls – or from 9.6% female participants
panel appointed and chaired by US$5,000, so they can help more The National Organizer in in 2019 to 21% in 2020. Their
Many girls are put off by science Juniper Networks review all entries. girls discover that learning and Switzerland began their ‘Mehr Girls strategy is to give every coach
when they hit puberty. An English Decisions are based on what feels
study from last 2019 found that most innovative, thoughtful and has
girls lack confidence in their ability the best potential to be used by
in STEM subjects and are less likely other countries.
to think they will end up working in
them when they leave school. We And the Award goes to...
see the same tendencies in World The 2020 winners were revealed
Robot Olympiad. The average on November 15, at the closing
number of girls participating in the ceremony of WRO2020-X:
past five International Finals was
just 17 percent. By introducing a Winner of the Past project
‘Girls in STEM’ competition, where category was National Organizer
National Organizers can enter ideas in Switzerland: Robot Olympiad
to increase the number of girls in Schweiz.
WRO, we hope to change that.
For the Future project it was The Swiss National Organizer
Two tracks National Organizer in Cambodia: found a sponsor for 10 robotics
The award from Juniper Networks STEM Education Organization for kits so they can continue ‘Mehr
will be split in two. The winner of Cambodia. Girls in Robotik!’ in 2021.
each receive a US$5,000 prize. The Each winner received the prize of
15In 2019 over 13,000 visitors
attended this celebration of STEM.
Now, due to COVID-19, WRO
Cambodia host the event as the
country’s first Virtual STEM Festival
late January 2021.
By combining the STEM Sisters
Cambodia Program with the Virtual
STEM Festival Platform, the goal
is to see a significant increase
in female participants in WRO
Cambodia’s 2021 season. Through
their formal partnership with the
Cambodian Ministry of Education
WRO Cambodia is creating Youth and Sport, the digital festival
digital content and a robotics content will reach across the entire
workshop for the STEM Sister country.
community to teach skills which
will enable them to enter WRO. Next step for WRO Cambodia, after
winning the Girls in STEM Award,
is to dedicate a festival category
who register a new all-girls team,
in addition to his or her registered
also invest more time to support
their all-female teams. A mentoring program connecting female STEM
professionals called Pro Sisters,
to Robotics & Technology, create
digital content and a robotics
boys team, a free robotics kit from
LEGO for the girl’s team. The kits The Swiss National Organizer will program called with female university student
Big Sisters and high school Little
workshop for the STEM Sister
community teaching skills which
are sponsored by a fund for gender
balance.
continue ‘Mehr Girls in Robotik!’
in 2021. The prize money will be STEM Sisters Sisters who are asked to lead STEM
clubs to inspire peers toward a
will enable them to enter WRO.
And last but not least: A mentoring
To raise awareness for the
invested in an additional WRO offer
for girls. The plan is to have female
inspire peers career in STEM. The program has
spread across the country with
program that connects Little Sisters
entering WRO with a Big Sister
project WRO Switzerland asked
the participating girls to write
scientists, roboticists and engineers
run entry level- and advanced
toward a career in an estimated 300 STEM Clubs
involving over 4,000 students.
studying Technology/robotics.
a blog on their website – www.
worldrobotolympiad.ch. This
courses aimed at girls and young
women.
STEM. The future project is to introduce Watch as the two national
has led to coaches and teachers this community to the wonders organizers are informed they have
addressing girls directly and STEM Sister community encourage more girls to follow of robotics – through the Annual won the Girls in STEM Award.
encouraging them to take part in STEM Education Organization for STEM through their STEM Sisters Cambodia STEM Festival,
World Robot Olympiad. Coaches Cambodia has been working to Cambodia program. A mentoring Cambodia’s flagship STEM event.
16A virtual playground for robotics
Teaching kids robotics got participated in a competition pilot accelerate their coding learning in As many other countries, they virtual playing field and sharing
easier in 2020 with WRO’s in 2019. The participants thought a time, where it is difficult to meet have been in a lock-down with ideas breaks down the age barrier.
the experience was fun and saw and work on robotic solutions kids staying at home. National
Virtual Robotics Toolkit.
VRT as a good way to improve their in a team. VRT is also a good organizer Mylene Abiva and her “Bringing robotics and learning
In a time where most kids around skills, when they don’t have access opportunity to on-board new team scheduled tutorials, where all into homes is an important
the world is being home schooled, to a physical robot. participants for the 2021 season. the kids got together to exchange innovation in these times. It brings
WRO Association wants to help positivity and is a relief for the
on a global scale – by offering children as well as the parents,”
a virtual playground where says Mylene Abiva, National
kids can continue to explore Organizer from FELTA Multi-Media.
robotics through play – despite
social distancing. Together with Reaching ‘Last mile schools’
Cogmation Robotics in 2020 VRT is not just a relevant tool
we could announce that a fully seen in the light of COVID-19
functional version of the Virtual restrictions. The Philippines has
Robotics Toolkit (VRT) was 2,000 inhabited islands, and with
available for free for WRO teams the virtual platform Mylene Abiva
and potential WRO participants and her team can reach students
through 2020. The free licenses at ‘Last mile schools’, as schools
were for training purposes, and did in far-flung areas are called. She
not include official competitions. explains:
The challenges were part of the
software. “For the past 21 years as National
Organizer I have wanted to make
Virtual Regular category robotics accessible for the far
VRT enables kids and youth to learn islands. VRT will help us engage
coding and test themselves with more students and make robotics
virtual challenges. For now VRT more inclusive.”
includes a virtual version of WRO’s
Regular category, where students
must design, construct and On-boarding new participants An important innovation strategies and showcase what More information about
program robots to solve specific National WRO organizers can use The Philippines is one of our they’ve done. The youngest is 6 using the VRT at
challenges on a virtual field. VRT as a way to give participants member countries who had already years old and the oldest 17 years www.virtualroboticstoolkit.com
100 kids from 18 countries more practice opportunities and to begun using the virtual platform. old, but working on the same
17years and in parallel coached students.
My passion is to teach robotics. I wanted
The aim to share my knowledge with students,
of the game but not just by coaching a few teams. My
The new category is for goal was to be a part of teaching students
students aged 16-19. internationally. Working on Future Engineers
The self-driving car is my opportunity to do so.
challenge is a Time
Attack race: There will What do you like best about the concept?
be one car on the track This is just the first step. The concept is
at a time, driving three future-proof so to speak, because it’s easy
laps fully autonomously. to enhance and improve over time. The
The best time of the game can be adapted and new challenges
three laps is registered. implemented, so we can continue to provide
Traffic signs, red and interesting tasks for students to solve. That
green pillars, indicate flexibility makes it very appealing.
the side of the lane the
vehicle has to follow. If What happens next?
a traffic sign is knocked Input from the pilot will show what students
over, the game is over. and coaches think about the game. If they
find it challenging enough, or if it is too
simple. When we have the feedback, we will
know what to improve or change. The task
Students to program self-driving cars
will not change significantly, but if students
are struggling, we might need to provide
extra education to help them learn. If it
turns out to be too simple, we will increase
With Future Engineers WRO We talked to game developer Alexander what we’ve seen is that students really enjoy complexity, like change the objects on the
brings current research into Kolotov to hear what Future Engineers is all this type of concept. It forces them to do game field or introduce moving objects.
schools and teach students about about. something new and very different from
existing WRO categories. They start looking
engineering workflow.
Why develop this new game? for computer vision and advanced decision Read more about Future Engineers on our
Autonomous driving is a current mega trend. We saw a need to revisit actuality of game making approaches by using machine website.
Big companies, start-ups, investors and city tasks and wanted to offer high school learning.
planners all see the potential in self-driving students challenges, that are more up to
vehicles. To keep WRO challenges relevant, date and interesting. Challenges they can Why did you want to work on Future
we’ve launched Future Engineers, a new meet in the real world. I’ve been working Engineers?
category that’s all about autonomous driving. with a similar game concept in Russia, and I’ve worked in the industry for almost 20
18WRO impact results in long term – just as the
participants will be positively
shaped by the WRO in the long
on learning term.”, says Marco Alfter, Managing
Director of the Dr. Hans Riegel
Foundation.
Do robotics competitions and support, especially without Likely same effect in other
increase learning in evidence of the impact of the countries
competition. To prove that Markus Fleige, Chairman of the
STEM? A study shows very
WRO is a meaningful as well as TECHNIK BEGEISTERT association,
positive results. playful program, WRO Germany believes the results apply to other
Robotics competitions are conducted an evaluation study in WRO countries too. He says:
becoming increasingly popular cooperation with the University of
around the world. With many Würzburg, with the support of the “We see the great results of the
competition providers, it can be Dr. Hans Riegel Foundation. evaluation project as a confirmation
hard for children, volunteers and The overall results show a positive of our daily work. We get children
even sponsors to judge, which influence of WRO on students’ and young people excited
are the best to participate in learning in science, technology, about technology in an exciting
engineering, and mathematics very positive across the board. competition, in which soft skills
(STEM). It is particularly noteworthy that are also developed. I am sure that
in addition to the expected hard students in other countries have
Developing 21st century skills skills, soft skills are also successfully similar experiences.”
In 2019 WRO Germany conducted promoted,” says Professor Dr.
a study on what the students Martin Hennecke, University of In Germany alone there is
learn from participating in the Würzburg. 430,000 vacancies in STEM
competition. It showed that WRO professions especially in IT. The
has a positive impact on students’ “There are many competitions demand continues to rise due to
skills – including soft skills. In 79% for students, but what do they increased digitalization. It follows
of the cases, students develop do for the participants? Only few that children who get into STEM
problem solving skills through their answer this question with external early have many professional
participation in the WRO. expertise. The WRO organized by opportunities.
TECHNIK BEGEISTERT offers us
The positive results of the the opportunity to learn something
evaluation study please the about the impact of this project Read detailed description of
partners: using scientific methods. I hope the evaluation study in English,
“The results of the evaluation of that TECHNIK BEGEISTERT including key findings.
the World Robot Olympiad are will benefit from the evaluation
19How we are organized
Our mission is to bring young
people all over the world
together to develop their
creativity, design and problem
solving skills. WRO has done this
since 2004 – through challenging
and educational robot
competitions and activities.
The roots of WRO are in Southeast Asia, Did you know
but today we are global. With 100,000
young people in 85+ countries taking World Robot Olympiad
part in events ranging from simple Foundation Inc., a 501c3 National The Advisory Council consists of experienced Mr. Zoltan Szögi, Hungary
competitions for the youngest through USA nonprofit organization, Organizers academics and national organizers from WRO Mr. KingHui Law, Malaysia
to sophisticated business challenges in was founded in 2018 National member countries. Their expertise keeps Mr. Norikana Kanai, Japan
Open category. These events represent a to support WRO. organizers run WRO informed about new technology and Mr. Marcelo Ang, Singapore
world of creativity and innovation. Behind WRO at country they ensure that the competition challenges Mr. Carles Soler, Spain
it all, including the annual International Final, level and are are interesting, fun and relate to real world
is a big network of staff and volunteers. responsible for all WRO- problems. Ms. Leefin Cham is our Finance Manager.
related robot fun and adventure. They help
The Board of Directors decide which competitions will run in each Our chairman is Mr. Brent Hutcheson from Permanent staff
The senior people in WRO, the board makes country and are a vital source of information South Africa. In 2020 he is assisted by: WRO maintains a small team of permanent
all financial decisions and decides what and feedback. Without them, WRO would Mr. Eugene Zhang, China staff who keep the organization running
strategy the organization should follow. not exist. Dr. Feng-Kuang Chiang, China smoothly. They work with volunteers to make
The members of the Board of Directors are: Mr. Johnson Jan, Chinese Taipei sure WRO succeeds in member countries,
Mr Lars Vahl (Chairman) The Advisory Council Dr. Kai-Tai Song, Chinese Taipei and they help with administration during the
Mr. Claus Ditlev Christensen The role of the Advisory Council (AC), Mr. Yasuhide Kobayashi, Japan International Final. They are:
(Secretary General) pictured above, is to decide what robot- Mr. Clarence Sirisena, Singapore Secretary General Mr. Claus Ditlev Christensen
Mr. Eugene Zhang related activities the national organizers will Mr. Kerry Bailey, Australia Program Manager Ms. Karen Bebelaar
Mr. Johnson Jan be able to offer. They also decide where Mr. Dominic Bruneau, Canada Program Consultant Mr. Markus Fleige
Mr. Yasuhide Kobayashi international finals will be held and have Ms. Alejandra Sanchez, Costa Rica Digital Communication Specialist Ms. Tina Lee
Mr. Clarence Sirisena separate panels reporting about future Ms. Nualwon Oil Cha-ume, Thailand Concept Developer Mr. Alexander Kolotov.
Mr. Jonathan Hung developments. Ms. Birthe Ritter, Denmark
20perspectives and experience was
invaluable in selecting the most
By
deserving winners. working
What is the plan going forward?
with WRO,
We will watch with interest to Juniper
see how our prize money is used
to continue driving increased
is able to
female recruitment at the national talk to the
competitions, naturally leading
to more female participants in the
emerging generation
International Finals. of coders and
A mentor-ship program is in the
engineers”
WRO Switzerland was one of works – how did it come about? Mike Marcellin, CMO, Juniper Networks
the winners of the Girls in STEM The decision to create a mentor-
Award, for their initiative have ship program for all the entrants because we can plan now for a
coaches on-board more all- into our competition was born of virtual event, rather than having
girls teams. a conversation during the judging to suddenly pivot. So I am very
process. The quality of entries was pleased to hear that 2021 will be
so high, we were debating how we a full-on competition again, albeit
Premium Partner: Juniper Networks might be able to give all of them a
helping hand in the future, beyond
online. Of course, as a networking
company, Juniper is gratified to see
the prize money for the winners. what can be achieved using the
Why are you a WRO partner? education as a valuable starting the number of female participants The judges from LEGO Education global network with creativity, spirit
We became involved with point for life in this digital world. was an easy decision, as it was a and NASA quickly agreed to our and determination.
WRO back in 2018 because By working with WRO, Juniper challenge that we talked about proposal, because they were both
the organization embodies the is able to talk to the emerging with WRO from the start of our so inspired by the stories we heard! Anything you would like to add?
ideals that we hold around STEM generation of coders and engineers relationship. It’s been such a pleasure to work
– which is inspiring for us, and I The response from National How will you work with WRO with WRO. Juniper’s mission is to
hope rewarding for them, too. Organizers was outstanding, with during the 2021 season? Power Connections and Empower
About Juniper Networks detailed, inspiring entries from 2020 was such an unpredictable, Change. We have built so many
Engineering Simplicity is How did it go with your new multiple countries. I admit I initially challenging year for everyone. strong connections with innovative,
the philosophy of Juniper Girls in STEM Award? found choosing winners quite Having experienced the buzz and passionate participants from
Networks, a leader in It went really well. Our intention challenging, given the strength of excitement of previous International around the world and we truly
AI-driven, automated and was to create a competition that each submission. I am very grateful Finals, I was as disappointed as believe that this organization, with
secure networks. would make a meaningful and for the help of my fellow judges, anyone not to attend another one our help, is empowering change
Visit www.juniper.net lasting difference for teams in the Camilla Bottke of LEGO® Education in Montreal in 2020. The challenge in STEM education that will benefit
future. Focusing on increasing and Crystal Jones from NASA – their for 2021 is a little different, simply the world for generations.
21Premium Partner:
LEGO Education
Why is LEGO Education a
WRO partner?
It was
LEGO® Education is a proud wonderful
partner of WRO because we share
a similar purpose: engaging and
to see
Team Greentopia from Vietnam,
inspiring students in hands-on how WRO 2020 Open Category
STEM learning. Every year we see
how much impact the experience
students Senior won the LEGO Creativity
Award for their Mobile Battery
has on teams participating in around Exchange System. Marijn
WRO, be it at a local level or at
the International final. We want to
the world found a Delhez, Global Marketing
Manager Competitions at
fulfill our mission to enable every way to participate LEGO Education, announced
students to succeed through
hands-on STEM learning, and
remotely in this the winners at WRO2020-X.
partnering with WRO can help us unusual season”
achieve that. students around the world found a in STEM has always been a focus to be pragmatic and creative
Camilla Bottke, Head of After School &
way to participate remotely in this area for us. On behalf of LEGO problem solvers, just like we
Competition, LEGO® Education
How have you worked with unusual season. It definitely wasn’t Education, I took part in the panel encourage our students to be. We
WRO in 2020? easy to pick a winner, but we felt discussions to help decide which look forward to support new ways
With the impact of COVID-19 on is – for all of us. We certainly missed that Team Greentopia from Vietnam projects would benefit most from to bring engaging experiences to
the global educational system, and the physical events and meeting came up with a very creative and Juniper’s generous Girls in STEM the global WRO community.
the growing need for remote or face-to-face though! clever project, with a lot of real- Award, as well as our donation of
hybrid learning, WRO and LEGO world potential. Way to go, girls! LEGO Education SPIKE™ Prime
LEGO® Education offers hands-
Education faced similar challenges Something you would like Core and Expansion Sets. We look
on, cross-curricular STEAM
this season. It has required some to say about the Creativity How did you work with Juniper forward to follow the process of the
solutions for early learning,
changes to the regular way of Award? on the GIS Award? different award winners and see the
primary and secondary
doing things, but I believe we It was great to be able to When Juniper reached out to us impact in their local communities.
education, competitions, and
adapted quickly. We often talk hand out the LEGO Education about their plans for the Girls in
after-school programs.
about how students build resilience Creativity Award during the online STEM Award, we immediately How do you want to work with
through hands-on competitions like WRO2020-X event. We carefully agreed to collaborate. Encouraging WRO during the 2021 season? To learn more visit the
WRO, and this year confirmed once reviewed all submitted videos, and enabling more girls around the I expect that we will still see similar LEGO Education website.
again how important of a skill that and it was wonderful to see how world to develop their potential challenges in 2021, and that need
22Help us foster the inventors of tomorrow
As a WRO partner you get Our four partner programs have
to change the lives of youth been created to fit different types
of organizations and different levels
on a global scale, while
of engagement.
showing the world that your Contact us if you are interested in
company has both vision learning more about the details of a
and solid values. partner program:
info@wro-association.org
We want to create extraordinary
outcomes through collaboration Continuous growth
with our partners. We want to
cultivate authentic relationships By partnering with WRO
with companies and organizations
you become a vital part of
when our goals and values
are aligned. This is the kind of
our work. A few examples:
relationship we have with LEGO®
• Partners bring in ideas to help
Education, a premium partner.
develop WRO
Every year they single out a
• Partners can create unique CSR
thought-provoking project by
projects to engage employees
giving it their Creativity Award
• Partners can combine robotics
– this time at the online event
with business
WRO2020-X. Camilla Bottke, Head
Our four partner programs: Premium partner • Partners can establish
of After School & Competition,
entrepreneurial competitions
LEGO Education, says: Gold partner
A strategic • Partners can establish alumni
Silver partner Academic partner networks
“It was wonderful to see how Online and offline all in-partnership:
We create value for • Partners can support growth
students around the world found a activation, including
Focused online Reach out to a projects in Africa, North America
way to participate remotely in this an opportunity both organizations
presence that lets community of bright and Europe.
unusual season. It definitely wasn’t to exhibit at the by working together
your stakeholders young people
easy to pick a winner, but Team international final towards shared
know that you who will be well-
Greentopia from Vietnam came goals
support kids around prepared for higher
up with a very creative and clever Want to know more about
the world education.
project, with a lot of real-world partnerships? Get in touch:
potential.” info@wro-association.org
23You can also read
