THE 2024-2025 Philippine VEX Robotics competition, a premier event in educational innovation, kicked off at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Regional Center for Innovation and Technology (Seameo Innotech) Pearl Hall in Quezon City on Nov. 21, 2024.
Hosted by Seameo Innotech and presented by Hytec Power Inc., VEX Robotics and HPI Cybertech Institute, with the support of the Department of Education (DepEd), the competition brought together young innovators from elementary and junior high schools across the country, offering them a chance to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills in the field of robotics.
This year's competition marked a significant milestone for Seameo Innotech, as it was the first time the organization had hosted a VEX Robotics event.
As a regional center dedicated to advancing educational innovation across Southeast Asia, Seameo Innotech is committed to providing students with opportunities to explore the world of technology and robotics.
The event underscored the center's mission of fostering critical thinking, creativity and collaboration among young minds.
Seameo Innotech Educational Innovations Unit head Lauren Nerisse Bautista shared the broader impact of the competition during the opening ceremony
"This event is not just about robotics. It's about celebrating the skills and values –teamwork, communication, resilience, and leadership – that will shape our shared future," she stated.
Her words highlighted how robotics competitions like this one provide students with hands-on experiences that are invaluable in nurturing the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators.
Twenty-one teams from elementary and junior high schools across the Philippines participated on the first day, each bringing their custom-built robots to the arena.
The teams faced a series of timed challenges designed to test their robots' programming, design and problem-solving capabilities.
The event showcased the participants' ingenuity and the technical skills they had developed, as they navigated their robots through a series of obstacles and complex tasks.
As the teams competed, it became clear that the competition was not only about engineering prowess, but also about the power of collaboration and adaptability.
Seameo Innotech director and former education secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones, closed the day's event with an inspiring message to the participants.
"This event is a big step toward helping young minds – like yours – explore, create and lead the way in tech and innovation. And trust me, this is just the beginning. We can't wait to see more robots, more cool ideas, and more of you in the future," she encouraged, urging all students to continue pursuing their passion for technology and innovation.
The Judges Award was presented to Mechdynamix from Nemesio Yabut Elementary School, while the Innovate Award went to Arrowhead from Arrowhead Robotics.
Juggernautz from Juggernautz Robotics took home both the Design Award and the Robot Skills Champion title.
The Teamwork Champion Award was jointly awarded to Juggernautz and Arrowhead.
The second day of the competition, held on November 22, welcomed 12 senior high school teams from across the country.
These teams faced even tougher challenges, demonstrating their advanced problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
After the qualification rounds, the top teams advanced to the final matches, adjusting their strategies to achieve the highest possible score.
Team 3818B from International School Manila received the Innovate Award, while Team Manila A, also from International School Manila, won the Design Award.
Team Arrowhead from Arrowhead Robotics claimed the Robot Skills Champion title, and the Tournament Champion honor was jointly awarded to Team Manila A and Team 3818B.
The Philippine VEX Robotics competition continues to be a powerful platform for young minds to explore the limitless possibilities of technology and robotics.
The competition not only celebrates innovation and creativity but also equips students with essential skills in critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving – skills that will serve them well in their future endeavors.
The national competition concludes today, Nov. 25, 2024, with university-level teams taking the stage to demonstrate their expertise in advanced robotics challenges.
The international competition is scheduled on Dec. 12 to 14, 2024, also at Seameo Innotech.
Both Seameo Innotech and Hytec Power Inc. remain committed to advancing innovation in education and inspiring the next generation of engineers, programmers and leaders in the field of technology.
Visit www.phvexroboticscompetition.com for more information.