Seventy students competed in the first Laguna Robot LEGOlympics 2022 that engaged them in problem-solving, including in farming, through critical thinking.
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture hosted the recent event in collaboration with Felta Multi-Media Inc., National University-Laguna, Department of Trade and Industry-Laguna and Infor, said SEARCA.
Elementary and high-school students from National University-Laguna, Alpha Angelicum Academy, Columban College-Olongapo, and Mines Elementary School participated in the event.
SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio said it was the first on-site LEGOlympics held with participants from different schools in Laguna, Metro Manila and Olongapo.
With the theme “Farmers’ Friend,” the competition brought together 70 students and coaches “to challenge the intellectual skills and critical thinking of elementary and high-school students in the field of robotics,” Gregorio said.
He explained that this aligns with SEARCA’s priority focus on engaging the youth in agriculture by demonstrating that it is exciting and profitable as a career.
“I know many parents dream of having their children become doctors or lawyers. But let me tell you that there is a future in agriculture. Let us encourage our young people to explore and appreciate this sunrise industry, especially with the advent of Agri 4.0 technologies, such as robotics, drones, internet of things, sensors and big data analytics,” Gregorio pointed out.
National University-Laguna won in the High School category, while Alpha Angelicum Academy won in the Elementary category.
The winners were to compete at the Philippine Robotics Olympiad 2022 at the Santa Rosa City Multi-Purpose Sports Complex to have the chance to vie at the World Robot Olympiad in Dortmund, Germany, in November 2022.
Felta CEO and President Mylene Abiva said that through robotics, kids will be more interested to engage in problem-solving through critical thinking.
She said if students are given the opportunity to engage in science and technology, they will more likely be attracted to science-related work.
Felta Multi-Media Inc. is the sole distributor of LEGO Education materials and robotics in the Philippines. It aims to provide the academe with instructional materials to upgrade the quality of education in the country.
During the event, SEARCA and Felta signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in undertaking projects and activities, including the exchange of scientific materials, publications, and information in the next five years, SEARCA said.