With the latest trend in robotics as showcased by student whizzes at the 8th Philippine Robotics Olympiad (PRO) recently, robots indeed are not just for kids.

The recent PRO, held at SM North Edsa, has given birth to another batch of future scientists and engineers of the country. It gathered the brightest students in the field of science and technology, and challenged them to craft highly innovative robots and robotic systems using Lego robotics.

Nothing about robotics is childish, says PRO organizer FELTA Multi-media Inc. president and CEO Mylene Abiva. “The Robotics Olympiad challenges the intellectual skills and critical thinking of more than 300 elementary and high school students from both public and private schools. Students learn simple engineering, computer programming, mathematics and of course, the values of teamwork, fair play and discipline.”

PRO supports the Philippine’s aggressive campaign towards the promotion of science and technology interests among the youth, particularly, in robotics as one of the new alternative media of effective learning. “We want to integrate an interplay of instructivism and constructivism as an effective medium in teaching robotics towards the discovery of promising robotics-scientists,” Abiva adds.

Winners will compose the Philippine Robotics Team that will represent the country at the World Robotics Olympiad 2009 in Gyeongbuk Pohang, Korea in November.

BATTLE OF THE ROBOTS

The technical know-how of the participants were tested in the Iron Robot Triathlon category for nine elementary teams, and in Robot Match group for 29 high school teams. Fourteen high school teams, on the other hand, participated in the Open category, where robots were programmed to do creative things like sing, dance, and even draw or paint.

In the elementary level, Regular category, Claret School of Quezon City Team B bagged the first place, followed by Grace Christian College Team B. In the high school level, Philippine Science High School Bicol Team B went home as first placers followed by Science and Technology Education Center Team A.

For the Open Category, Grace Christian College bagged the first place in the elementary level while First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities placed second. In the high school level, Dr. Yanga’s College came in first, followed by Makati Science High School.

Coach Mexel de la Peña of Claret School Quezon City says he has been preparing his students Philip John Franco, Joshua Gabriel Sibug, and Jose Ramon Trinidad by training, memorizing contest rules as well as familiarizing themselves with the playing field. After six years of joining, they finally brought home the championship title.

Along with Aameill Colibao and Maria Nerissa Nicolas, 15-year-old Maica Jill De Guzman also brought the bacon to their school Dr. Yanga’s College. Coach Beryl Cruz thinks the high-tech set up of their entry called “This is ITIT’’ made the team win.

Maica developed interest in robotics when it became a part of her school’s curriculum. Today, Maica plans to take up Computer Engineering or Chemical Engineering in college. “Ngayon, nasa early stages pa tayo ng robotics pero I think in the future, magiging laganap na yung paggamit ng robots. I consider it a big privilege to be a part of that discovery,” she says.

PINOY ROBOTS

Next year, the Philippines will be hosting the 2010 World Robotics Olympiad where 23 countries will be competing.

Claret coach Mexel de la Peña says developing faster robots are needed if they want to win in WRO.

Dr. Yanga’s College coach Beryl Cruz says that for the upcoming WRO, there is a need to enhance the robots and make it more Filipino.

“We will resize the robots because the space is smaller,” he shares.

Both of the coaches are confident that their students will have a big chance of winning. “What’s important is the kids are doing their best and it will be a learning experience for all of us,” they agree.