WORLD ROBOT OLYMPIAD™ ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Premium Partners The amazing adventures of WRO 2019

World Robot Olympiad™ has a mission: to cultivate a love for science, technology, engineering and math – using as a fun and challenging way to get there.

Taking part in WRO® can be life-changing. Former participants go on to become engineers, designers, programmers, and scientists, so there is a good chance that the inventors and builders of tomorrow discovered their love for STEM in a WRO competition.

If you are new to World Robot Olympiad, the 2019 annual report will show you why our work is important.

If you are already a part of WRO, sit back and enjoy some of the highlights from the past year. From ME & MY ROBOT to a new, low-cost virtual introduction to robotics. And the biggest of them all: the international final in , a blast of an event with government support, more than 3,000 visitors, and 400 teams from 70 countries. We also unveil a bit of what’s to come in 2020, including three invitationals.

We look forward to seeing you out there at the game tables and open category booths!

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Contents

4 A truly global competition 5 WRO statistics 2019 6 The categories and how the competition works 7 #WRO2019 in Hungary 8 Meet four teams 10 Coaches see the kids’ potential 11 A judge is like a mentor 12 Message from the organizing Committee, WRO2019 13 2019 and onwards 14 Successful Friendship Invitational held in 14 , Italy and the US all to host friendship tournaments in 2020 15 After pilot: Virtual WRO ready to fly 16 WRO gains government support 17 A unique 2020 location 18 Making first time participants feel at ease 18 won bid to host in 2021 19 How we are organized 20 Premium Partner: Juniper Networks 21 Premium Partner: Education 22 Make a positive mark on the world 23 Academic partner: WRO students are a great fit

3 A truly global competition

Since the beginning 15 years ago WRO has connected more great deal these past years: 859% since 2015 – which in team 10% growth rate continues, there will be around 32,000 than 650,000 kids worldwide, allowing participants from numbers means an increase from 44 teams in 2015 to 844 in participants next year. Claus Ditlev Christensen, General countries such as , Tajikistan, Palestine and Myanmar, 2019. Another national organizer which has had a significant Secretary, World Robot Olympic, says: from townships in , small islands and big cities, to increase in team numbers is . They started out in 2014 compete as equals on an international stage. and have progressed from just 11 teams in 2015 to 354 teams “As an organization with a mission to reach as many young in 2019 – a staggering 3,118%! people as possible, this is an exciting opportunity – but World Robot Olympiad has been around since 2004, and a we remain vigilant about the challenges strong growth lot has happened in the past 15 years. When we started out, More than 80 countries in 2020 represents. We want to ensure that all countries receive Asia was the biggest player, with 10 countries. Since then, the WRO’s mission is to get as many young people as possible attention and support, while introducing an increasing number of participating countries has grown to 75, making to take an interest in STEAM, so increased reach is important number of participants to the world of STEAM.” World Robot Olympiad a truly global robotics competition. to the organization. There is sustainable growth across all continents and new countries joining. In 2020, WRO You can find website and contact information for all our is one of the national organizers which has grown a expects to have teams in more than 80 countries, and if the member countries on our website.

4 WRO statistics 2019

10% 650,000+ 29,000 75 Number of Number of children who have Overall growth in WRO member Number of teams in participated since teams worldwide countries 2019 2004

5 The categories The four competition categories: • REGULAR - a challenge-based competition and how the in which students have to design, construct and program their robots to solve specific challenges on competition works a field. Points are awarded for completed tasks.

From small teams to cross-cultural all over the world, from to China. • OPEN friendships, we believe our approach World Robot Olympiad provides plenty - a project-based competition in to teaching robotics through of opportunities for cultural exchange which students create their own competitions has the most impact. at friendship tournaments and at the intelligent robotics solution related international final. New friends across to the theme of the season. Teams WRO competitions are open to students borders often stay in touch after competitions present their project and robot aged 6-19 years. Teams are made up of 2-3 to share ideas and feedback. model to a group of judges on the members and work together to solve exciting competition day. challenges. Fun facilitates learning They were very While playing games and making friends, our • WRO FOOTBALL The four WRO categories: participants learn invaluable skills. Robotics friendly, and we - a fun game with two teams of • Regular uniquely brings together physics, math, communicated autonomous robots playing football • Open engineering, coding, electronics, project (soccer). Every year small changes • WRO Football management, teamwork, and problem through Google are introduced to motivate the • Advanced Robotics Challenge solving in a dynamic, fun activity. Making students to keep developing their it fun and practical facilitates learning, Translate. We are still robots. Each season the challenges and theme for encourages innovation, and gives kids a in touch, developing the Regular and Open category are created sense of their ability to make a difference. • ADVANCED ROBOTICS with the host country of the international algorithms together. CHALLENGE final. Rules for other events are set by WRO’s - games designed to push older team of expert advisors and find a balance They even built an and more experienced students’ Did you know between challenging the participants and engineering and programming – that participants spend roughly algorithm based on ours, keeping things open, interesting and fun. skills to the limit. We expect to test 65 hours coding before a which is extra cool.” a new concept – Future Engineers – regional event? For national and New friends across borders in the 2020 season. WRO participants compete at the local and international events, it amounts to Adib, former participant from Syria/ many more hours (German study). national level for the right to compete in the Germany, about meeting a team from Read more on our website. international final. Past finals have been held another country.

6 Find #WRO2019 results on the website

Meet some of our teams, read about the amazing work of two #WRO2019 in Hungary WRO coaches, and get a peek inside the minds of three judges.

7 Meet four teams

Sama, Retag og Omar, a very talkative In , these students usually don’t get We asked the team two more questions: Sama, Egyptian team, competed in their first access to universities. But the national international final. Despite being only 11 organizer of WRO competitions has procured What have you looked most forward to and 12 years old, all of them dream about scholarships for hearing-impaired winners, about coming here? Retag becoming mentors for a new generation of giving students like Sama, Retag and Omar We want to make the community aware of us, kids – and of getting a technical education. access to higher education. so that we deaf kids are viewed the same as hearing kids. & Omar The three kids are all hearing-impaired. We The picture above shows the three of them asked them what they liked best about the on stage in Györ, receiving the LEGO What is the best thing about robotics? event, and they replied: “That we are among Creativity Award. We learn to design and program robots, hearing people. We want to live among the which gives us the ability to complete studies hearing.” in college.

8 Sofia, Yassine and Youssef from Morocco competed in Regular Elementary. They started doing robotics in 2014 and became national champions this year. They dream of having Elon Musk as their sponsor. Sofia answered a few questions during the final:

What is it like, your first WRO final? Different. Incredible (eyes big, hands thrown up in the air). This is much bigger than the national competition with much more people. Mart & Sofia, Youssef What do you want to do in the future? I want to create machines that will make the world a better place. But first I want to win the international Claudia & Yassine final. And then create new LEGO robotics. Mart and Claudia from the competed in Regular Junior in Hungary. Mart has competed in robotic games since primary school, but Claudia had hardly heard of robotics before – they’ve only been a team since January 2019.

What is it like being new at this? Claudia: It’s different than I expected. Jesse Born, Elias Frey and Benjamin What is your project? The challenge turned out to be less Koch created Team Circuit Breakers A cleaning solution for a big house, a difficult than I thought it would be. just three months before the final, factory or school. The whole goal is and decided to take on the challenge to make cleaning cheaper and more What is the best thing about of Open. They are ’s very sustainable. The robots are intelligent, participating? first Open category team. and only go to rooms when they need to Mart: Best thing so far is certainly not be cleaned. our robot. Today it scored 0 points How did you prepare? (Mart is laughing). I guess it’s the Jesse, We went to the Danish friendship What is best about the WRO final? experience of just being here. It’s nice invitational to get an idea, looking at You meet a lot of teens, and can ask meeting all those people from so many what other participants were doing. them questions. The whole point is to be countries doing the same thing in Elias & Open is very different – you have to do with other teams. It’s about sharing, not different ways. everything by yourself. At the same time competing. Benjamin you can do whatever you want.

9 Beryl Cruz, 39, became a coach in 2007. Coaches see the Two years later, he started robotics classes at his high school, which back then was known as a last resort for kids’ potential young people who would rather play computer games than learn.

“Since we won the national final in 2009, I saw the kids’ potential. They learned through robotics and enjoyed competing and discovering things. Like how important the theme of the season is in the Open Category. It’s addressing real world problems, and the kids must try to think of real solutions,” Beryl Cruz says. Math teacher Stephan Looser, 41, has been a WRO coach for six years. He His highschool – DYCI – was the first school brought three teams to the international in the to teach robotics. There final in 2019, and back home he has were 1,000 students when Beryl Cruz pioneered a robotics project at his started teaching the first classes. Since Zürich high school. then, the word has spread about DYCI’s robotics classes and winning teams. Now “Our school was asked by private the headcount is 5,000, and they have had companies if we wanted to do a project. to build a new campus to accommodate the They would pay for the material and give us swelling number of students. office space to practice in. It’s been going on for more than ten years. At the moment Today, the school has been declared a there are 40 students age 12-19 in the ‘Center for Robotics Excellence’ and has project,” Stephan Looser says. received an award for ‘Most Transformative School in the Philippines’. Two of his weekly classes are part of the curriculum, but he runs two extra robotics classes a week as a volunteer. He does it because it makes sense to him: an interdisciplinary approach makes for better learning – and robotics is a fascinating instrument for bringing people together.

10 A judge is like a mentor

It takes 130 judges to judge all 25-year-old Michael Shchekotko from 16-year-old Agnes Biborka, Hungary, came Odwa Magabuko, 30, has been an organizer teams and categories at a WRO has been a judge since 2014. His passion up with a friendly Mixed Doubles event for in a rural area for two years. He brought final. To find them, we begin at for robotics led him to get into educational Football teams that don’t make the top 16. teams to national events in South Africa and robotics as a teacher and coach. The The idea was so good, she was asked to be judged as well. At #WRO2019 he judged the national level. international final in Hungary was his second. head judge of the event. Regular Senior.

• Most judges start out as coaches, What do you enjoy most about judging? What is the friendly Mixed Doubles? Why did you want to be a judge? mentors or volunteers. To meet all the kids here, and try to do A voluntary WRO Football competition It’s an opportunity to encourage the kids. psychological work with them. I’ve calmed encouraging teams from different countries The competition is quite stressful for them, • To become a judge for the finals, down a couple of teams who were so shaken to share knowledge. One robot from each and you are like a mentor, trying to convey you must know the rules and have they started yelling. team work together – and play football positive energy. experience at the national level. matches against other combined teams. What is the most challenging part? What do you enjoy most about judging? • Once a national organizer guarantees To stay completely fair. We make sure that we How did you come up with the idea? You get to see the kids’ excitement when that a judge lives up to the rules, they are not judging teams from our own country, We didn’t make it to the finals at the their robot awakens. Especially when they can be nominated for the WRO final. but it can still be hard to stay fair. invitational last year in the Philippines, so didn’t do well in first round. I have a team when tables became available, we played here who only scored 15 in the first round, • Judges volunteer their time and pay What does it take be a good judge? games with other teams. I wanted to share then they got 120 in the second round! fees, accommodation and flights Concentration. You are staying here all day, the experience, and thought of a playful themselves. and all you do is observe and sometimes give competition as an unofficial event. Your most memorable WRO experience? advice. Saturday! Because it’s my first experience What does it take to be a good judge? with an international competition – and the You need confidence in how to apply the kids are so, so good. rules and you have to be objective. Teams prepare half a year and travel far, so it’s a priority to let them enjoy the game.

11 We welcomed nearly 12,000 visitors over the weekend. Edutus University is proud to announce a highly successful international final, one of the largest educational competitions in the history of our country.

Thanks to all participants and visitors who came to WRO2019 in Győr. A special thanks to all judges and volunteers. Without you the competition wouldn’t have been such a great success.”

Organizing Committee, WRO2019 Hungary

12 2019 and onwards From a documentary to a low-cost virtual introduction to robotics

Fabian and Adib are two of these kids. They school in Halle, Adib’s new home town. Germany is and have helped me a lot with ME & MY ROBOT wouldn’t have met, if it wasn’t for robotics. They met, and despite the fact that they practical things. They still do.” didn’t really share a language, they Each year, students around the New friend and first place talked for 2-3 hours about Part of a 2020 campaign globe compete in World Robot In 2016, Adib moved from building better algorithms ME & MY ROBOT is directed by Mark Olympiad. Syria to Germany with his and robots. The first year Decena, who wrote and directed the Redford family. His plan was to they communicated in Center film, Watershed, and presented by They use their engineering skills, LEGO® continue with robotics English. By the second Juniper Networks and executive producer ingenuity, and competitive drive to qualify in Germany, maybe to year Adib had become Jamie Redford. The film premiered during the regionally, nationally, and internationally. forget about the war fluent in German and international final in Hungary and will be part ME & MY ROBOT follows 18 teams from and leaving home. To they won first place in of a campaign in 2020 to inspire students to 10 different countries — using the kids’ find a partner, Adib the German national explore their interest in STEAM. own video diaries. We see their trials and looked for participants WRO final. Adib says: tribulations as they head to an international in robotic competitions You can read more about the making of the final. Not just a story about winners and and came across Fabian, “The main reason I film and sign up for a community screening at losers, we see children from different cultures who appeared to be the speak German is because at www.meandmyrobotfilm.com. working together through the common only other teenager in the state of Fabian’s parents. I went language of engineering. working with robotics in their age climbing, swimming, and skiing Follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn for group. By a stroke of luck, Fabian went to with the family. They showed me how cool updates.

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China, Italy and the US all to host friendship invitational in 2020

We’ve had invitationals in the For more information, go to our website Philippines and in Denmark. or contact your national organizer. This year we can add three Qualification and registration for more countries to the list. invitationals is only possible through national organizers.

Successful Friendship Invitational held in Denmark

140 teams from 34 countries met in there were lots of opportunities for teams to Denmark in August to have fun, test work together across culture, age, gender Langfang Hebei, China, Brescia, Italy, Orlando, Florida, USA, their skills, and make friends across and language. And since a visit to Denmark 13-17 August 16-19 September 2-5 December borders. is not complete without experiencing the original LEGOLAND in Billund, that was of Categories Categories Categories Danish national organizer eSkills invited course part of the agenda. Regular Elementary Regular WeDo Regular WeDo teams to Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest Regular Junior Regular Elementary Regular Elementary city, in August 2019. The event took place The tournament had competitions in Regular Regular Junior Regular Junior at Navitas, a center for science, innovation, and Open categories for all age groups, Regular Senior Regular Senior education, research and entrepreneurship in including WeDo for the youngest. Open (all age groups) Aarhus, and the daily base for 2,700 students, Football teachers, researchers and entrepreneurs. You can find a short video from the event on In addition to the seasonal WRO challenges, our Youtube channel.

14 After pilot: Virtual WRO ready to fly

Thanks to WRO Virtual skills, when they don’t have excited to see how the rollout goes is also a low-cost, high-access Robotics Simulation it has access to a physical robot. Claus in the beginning of 2020.” acquisition opportunity to bring just become a lot easier to Christensen, Secretary General, new participants into the WRO What is included in WRO Association, says: Season launch in January community – many who could go WRO Virtual Robotics teach robotics to kids with The VRS program for the 2020 on to become physical participants. Simulation no previous experience. “We are always looking to develop season will launch in January. new concepts to stay relevant and National organizers can use Virtual competitions 1) Robotics learning and It can be hard to reach children increase our reach. Virtual Robotics it as an extra tool for physical WRO and a number of national coding training platform with no previous robotics Simulation and the results from participants to accelerate their organizers are planning virtual software experience – and children the pilot shows great promise coding learning and give them competitions in 2020, both at a who come from low-income in fulfilling those goals, so we’re more practice opportunities. VRS national and international level. – Virtual robotics simulator communities. That’s why we have with pre-configured robots, created WRO Virtual Robotics challenge mats and 3D Simulation (VRS) with OnPurpose objects consistent with Solutions. It’s a low cost solution 2020 theme and rules that enables kids to learn coding and test themselves with virtual – The LEGO EV3-G interface challenges. (more coming)

A virtual pilot – 30+ hours of age- VRS is a virtual version of WRO’s appropriate content to teach Regular category, where students robotics and programing must design, construct and skills program robots to solve specific challenges on a field. 100 kids – Additional content to help from 18 countries got to test virtual guide coaches, mentors and challenges at a VRS competition teachers. pilot. It was completed during second half of 2019 – and went 2) Access to a competition really well. Three out of four young portal with national participants told us, that the and international virtual experience was fun. 68% thought competitions. that Virtual Robotics Simulation is a good way to improve their

15 WRO Panama gains government support

The First Lady of Panama heard Shared goals about World Robot Olympiad The government sent several officials to the and contacted national organizer international final in Hungary this autumn. One of them was Sarina Sitton, Director Marvin Castillo to learn more. of Social Development, Presidency of Now Panama’s government wants Panama, First Lady Office. Her objective to host an international final. was to observe and get inspiration for events in Panama, and to report back to the government. Sarina Sitton expected a big Marvin Castillo is a happy man. During event, but was still surprised by the number the past months the executive director at of people attending. It also amazed her how FUNDESTEAM and national organizer of students could work on their robot all day WRO Panama gained the support of the and have fun with it. She says: government, as both President Laurentino From the left: National organizer Marvin Castillo, in the center Sarina Sitton, Director of Social Cortizo and the First Lady are big STEAM “This is what we need to increase focus on Development, Presidency of Panama, and to the far right: Humberto Rodriguez, Director of Fab advocates. Marvin Castillo says: robotics and STEAM in Panama. We want our Lab, University Tecnologica de Panama. students to meet and be inspired by youth “The First Lady was impressed and decided from all over the world – changing their view “These competitions teach participants to become a WRO Ambassador. The on STEAM is the first step towards change in Panama needs leadership, self-learning, teamwork President visited our national final, and our part of the world, so we can be on the and discipline. I’m impressed with their during his speech he announced that the same level as countries in Europe.” something like this accomplishments. Panama needs something government is interested in hosting the like this to make our college students international final 2023.” University representative impressed to make our college interested in tech and science. We will Also part of the Panama delegation was present the project to the President, but I am The support is in itself of great value to Humberto Rodriguez, Director of Fab Lab, students interested confident he will fully support it.” Marvin Castillo and his team. But the University Tecnologica de Panama, who presidential pledge also means more press also wanted to get a feeling for the event. in tech and science.” Marvin Castillo is working with the coverage than ever before, and Marvin He has great expectations regarding WRO government and University Tecnologica de Humberto Rodriguez, Castillo hopes to leverage it to fulfill one of in Panama, and sees the importance of Panama to make hosting the WRO2023 final Director of Fab Lab, WRO Panama’s greatest wishes: to create a youth having access to such events to get happen. Next step for the new collaborators University Tecnologica de Panama. national STEAM policy. acquainted with STEAM. He says: is planning an invitational in 2021.

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Total population of Québec 8.1 million

Total population of Canada 35.1 million

than 6,000 events, and are known for excellence the world over. Even Total population of Montréal more appealing than the place 4.1 million itself: it’s easy to get from your hotel to the venue and back, at any time of day or night. In fact, the minutes from the venue, you’ll find A unique 2020 location Palais is within walking distance of more than 1,000 parks and green 15,000 downtown hotel rooms. spaces, 6,000 restaurants, 450 km of bike paths, and the great St. For the international final in Robotics, a non-profit organization the World Robot Olympiad Convenient and safe Lawrence River! 2020 you can look forward that has been creating exciting expansion across North America,” When you arrive it will be autumn to visiting Montréal, a unique robotics events since 2007. says Dominic Bruneau, in Montréal so prepare for Climate theme cosmopolitan city where They’ve grown by 40% per year. Lead of the WRO2020 a feast for the senses: The theme of the season, ‘Climate French, English and over 80 Official regional competitions Canada Organizing Keep track of the daylight hours Squad’, is all about taking action. other languages are spoken are now organized in six cities in Committee, Zone01 grow shorter and Climate change is a big issue, and in a special Euro-American Canada. Zone01 has been the Robotics. the event on trees show off their in Canada temperature is already atmosphere. national organizer for the World Facebook: red and gold finery. up by more than two degrees in Robot Olympiad since 2014. The venue @wrocanada Take a stroll on Mount some areas. And so, in line with From November 13 to 15 this year, The Palais des congrès Royal to revel in the previous themes focusing real- more than a thousand participants “Montréal is one of the largest de Montréal, Canada fall colours. Montréal is world problems, WRO Canada from over 60 countries will attend research and innovation centres has been chosen as the appealing in many ways, but is asking teams to come up with the international final in Canada. in Canada, and hosting the venue for the 2020 final. For over just to mention a few: it’s safe and solutions to mitigate and prevent The event is organised by Zone01 international final here will support 30 years they have hosted more clean, the airport is located only 20 climate change using robots.

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Germany won bid to host in 2021

With 150 years of collective known German accuracy and quality,” robotic experience, WRO says Markus Fleige, Chairman of the Germany is well-equipped to TECHNIK BEGEISTERT e.V. association. host the 2021 international final. More than 600 people are ready to help WRO Germany has hosted many finals – regional partners, volunteers, former and has experts for every competition coaches and participants. category, design, photography, and videos. Conversations about hosting a The city of , which is in the WROfinal began back in 2016, followed area with most STEAM activities in by preparations over the past two years. Germany, will host the international final. The non-profit organization “Now, everything is in place, from expects over 3,000 international guests, venue plan to budget, so we are children and young people from 80 Making first time participants feel at ease ready to organize the event with well- countries.

Being inexperienced is challenging, their confidence to keep participating,” says which is why national organizers are Danie Heymans, national organizer in South experimenting with ‘Explorer Concept’ Africa. – starter activities that require no previous knowledge of robotics. 200 kids from townships Heymans is involved in a Township Robotics WRO South Africa has had a successful project, where township teams have their Explorer test run, where the usual elements own Explorer competition from which they from the Elementary Regular category are can qualify for the national final. Last year used – making first-time participants feel 10 teams out of 32 qualified for the national like they are a part of WRO. The base model event. is pre-built, and teams program their robot on the day of the competition, and they can Over the past eight years, over 200 children make as many attempts as they want, because from townships have been mentored in their best score is their highest score. robotics and programming, with the help of students from Tshwane University of “Making mistakes and fixing them builds Technology.

18 separate panels reporting about future Ms. Alejandra Sanchez, Costa Rica How we are organized developments. Ms. Nualwon Oil Cha-ume, Ms. Birthe Ritter, Denmark The Advisory Council consists of experienced Mr. Zoltan Szögi, Hungary Our mission statement says that we aim Mr. Eugene Zhang academics and national organizers from WRO Mr. KingHui Law, to “...bring together young people all Mr. Johnson Jan member countries. Their expertise keeps Mr. Norikana Kanai, over the world to develop their creativ- Mr. Yasuhide Kobayashi WRO informed about new technology and Mr. Marcelo Ang, ity, design and problem solving skills Mr. Clarence Sirisena they ensure that the competition challenges Mr. Carles Soler, through challenging and educational are interesting, fun and relate to real world robot competitions and activities.” That National Organizers problems. Permanent staff was written in 2004, when World Robot National organizers run WRO at country level WRO maintains a small team of permanent OlympiadTM was first set up, and it is still true today.

While the roots of WRO are in Southeast Asia, today we are a global family. With 100,000 young people in 80 countries taking part in events that range from simple competitions for the younger ones through to the sophisticated business challenges of open category, there have never been so many ways to use robotics as the entry to a world of creativity and innovation.

Organizing all of this, including the annual international final demands a big network of staff and volunteers. and are responsible for all WRO-related robot Our chairman is Mr. Brent Hutcheson from staff who keep the organization running fun and adventure. They help decide which South Africa. In 2020 he is assisted by: smoothly during the year. They work with The Board of Directors competitions will run in each country and are volunteers all over the world to make sure The senior people in WRO, the board makes a vital source of information and feedback. Mr. Eugene Zhang, China WRO succeeds in member countries, all financial decisions and decides what Without them, WRO would not exist. Dr. Feng-Kuang Chiang, China and help with administration during the strategy the organisation should follow. Mr. Johnson Jan, Chinese International Final. They are: The members of the Board of Directors are: The Advisory Council Dr. Kai-Tai Song, The role of the Advisory Council (AC), Mr. Yasuhide Kobayashi, Japan Mr. Claus Ditlev Christensen Mr Lars Vahl (Chairman) pictured above, is to decide what robot- Mr. Clarence Sirisena, Singapore - Secretary General Ms. Leefin Cham (Finance Manager) related activities the national organizers will Mr. Ole Caprani, Denmark Ms. Karen Bebelaar - Program Manager Mr. Claus Ditlev Christensen be able to offer. They also decide where Mr. Kerry Bailey, Mr. Markus Fleige - Program Consultant (Secretary General) international finals will be held and have Mr. Dominic Bruneau, Canada

19 When we first heard about WRO, we were compelled to get involved. By working together we can benefit even more children around the world.” Mike Marcellin, Chief Marketing Officer, Juniper Networks.

Engineering Simplicity is I am thrilled that Juniper will numbers of girls making it through the philosophy of Juniper continue as a sponsor for a third to the international finals will start Networks, a leader in year – a testament to how much this to climb. AI-driven, automated and competition and its STEM ideals secure networks. mean to us. We’re working closely You’ve driven the making of with the WRO to solve the issue of ME & MY ROBOT, a documentary To learn more visit: gender balance across the teams following WRO teams. What are www.juniper.net reaching the international finals. your plans for the film? Across the last five years’ finals, The film is now ready for the average female participation distribution and starting in 2020 has been only 17 percent. STEM Juniper Networks plans to offer it skills are critical to the world’s to all WRO national organizers as a Premium Partner: Juniper Networks digital future and so it is imperative tool to create in-country awareness that young women have an equal about the competition. The film’s chance to be part of that future. distribution team will work one- Why are you a WRO partner? can help the organization to grow example was the opportunity So, for 2020 Juniper has on-one with national organizers Since its inception, Juniper and benefit even more children to host the US national final at announced a US$10,000 prize to find creative ways for each has taken an active interest in around the world. Juniper’s HQ in California. We were aimed at national organizers country to use the film to educate fostering STEM education globally, able to further engage our own who lead in recruiting girls. We’ll coaches, teachers, parents and particularly for young people. As a What impact has the employees to volunteer to help reveal the full details soon but children on how WRO can inspire technology innovator, we see STEM collaboration resulted in this pull off the event. It was gratifying we’ll be looking for effective students to pursue robotics and skills as a passport to the future. So, past year? to see so many Juniper people recruitment and retention schemes other STEM-related fields. We will when we first heard about WRO 2019 has been Juniper’s second helping out! that encourage young women to also help promote the WRO more and learned about its objectives, year of sponsorship and we participate in local competitions. widely by publicizing the film at we were compelled to get continue to find even more ways How do you want to work with By driving this uptake at the local conferences, film festivals, schools involved. By working together we to drive impact. One stand-out WRO during the 2020 season? level, we’re confident that the and community centers.

20 Premium Partner: LEGO Education

What were the highlights of 2019 critical thinking, creativity, etc. – all with WRO? aspects of our learning philosophy. The final in Hungary. Pulling off an Even though teams are tasked to event at this scale requires hard solve the same challenge, they come work and dedication, but seeing it up with a wide range of solutions. come to life is always very exciting. Seeing teams from all over the What is WRO’s impact seen from world meeting, and learning from your point of view? each other, puts a smile on my face. The nature of WRO and the annual themes helps students develop How do your concepts of Playful interest in – and knowledge of – Learning, Open Mind and Open subjects that are relevant going Ended Solutions fit with WRO? forward, such as the role of robot It’s a very close fit, and the main technology or sustainability. We reason for our long partnership. believe that educating young Besides programming and people like this is one of the most engineering skills, being part of effective ways to contribute to a a WRO team takes teamwork, better world. LEGO Education is a long-time with teachers and educational All solutions are based on the supporter and premium specialists to deliver hands-on LEGO system for playful learning sponsor of WRO®, and LEGO® learning experiences that bring and combined with curriculum- ® MINDSTORMS has been used to subjects to life in the classroom and relevant material and digital LEGO Education is a grow instant STEM learning with make learning fun and impactful. resources. proud partner of WRO high-quality robotics solutions. The With a wide range of physical block-based programming platform and digital educational resources The annual LEGO Education because we share a similar of WeDo 2.0 is a natural first step that encourage students to think Creativity Award recognizes purpose: engaging and towards the creatively, reason systematically the hard work and efforts of the platform, which makes the new and release their potential. team that takes the most creative inspiring students in competition format a great entry The solutions for teaching and and imaginative approach to the hands-on STEM learning.” point into WRO for young students. hands-on learning inspire science, design of their robotics solution. technology, engineering, and math Camilla Bottke, Head of After School & Competition, For more than 38 years, (STEM) for preschool, elementary To learn more visit the LEGO LEGO® Education. LEGO Education has been working and students. Education website.

21 Make a positive mark on the world

When you become a WRO We’re in the process of updating partner, you can make a the support section on our website, positive mark on the world so more information will also be available online later this year. while demonstrating that your company has visionary Continuous growth purpose and solid values. By entering into a partnership with WRO you can become a vital part We want to create extraordinary of our work. A few examples: outcomes through collaboration with our partners. Our aim is to • bring in your ideas to help cultivate authentic relationships develop WRO with companies and organisations • create a unique CSR project when it makes sense – when our for your company to engage goals and values are aligned. employees This is the kind of relationship we • combine robotics with business have with Juniper Networks, one of • establish entrepreneurial our premium partners. competitions • establish an alumni network “Ours is not a passive sponsorship: • support growth projects in Africa, by being a WRO partner we help North America and Europe. foster the inventors and engineers Our four partner programs: Premium partner of tomorrow,” says Mike Marcellin, Chief Marketing Officer, Juniper Gold partner A strategic Networks. Silver partner Academic partner Want to Online and offline all in-partnership: know more about Our four partner programs have activation, including We create value for Focused online Reach out to a partnerships? been created to fit different types an opportunity both organizations presence that lets community of bright of organizations and different levels to exhibit at the by working together Get in touch: your stakeholders young people of engagement. international final towards shared [email protected] know that you who will be well- Contact us if you are interested in goals support kids around prepared for higher learning more about the details of a the world education. partner program: [email protected]

22 Academic partner: WRO students are a great fit

Established universities NYU Tandon School of Milwaukee School of Illinois Institute of Technology Innopolis University (Russia) worldwide acknowledge Engineering (USA) Engineering (USA) (USA) Innopolis University (IU) is the that taking part in The NYU Tandon School of MSOE University is a community Illinois Tech is internationally Russian university focused on Engineering empowers people of dreamers, thinkers, makers recognized in distinctive areas of education and research in IT and competitions like World to use science and technology and doers, a small university education and research, using as its Robotics. Innopolis University is Robot Olympiad prepares as tools to build a better society. dedicated to achieving big things. platform the global city of Chicago, Russia’s WRO National Organizer students for higher Dedicated to creating solutions We focus on small class sizes, driven by a professional and and RRO Organizer. education. that can tackle tomorrow’s personalized attention, hands-on technology-oriented focus, and problems today, NYU Tandon practical application and lots of based on a culture of innovation IU offers five Computer Science Universities know first-hand that focuses on invention, innovation, labs meaning that MSOE students and excellence. programs taught in English: A WRO participants have valuable and entrepreneurship. As a are well prepared and sought after We are a small, private university bachelor’s degree program (4 experience in teamwork, creativity university partner, NYU Tandon when it comes to launching their focused on technology and years) with study tracks: Software and overcoming setbacks. We are School of Engineering supports the career. innovation and our mission is to Engineering, Robotics & Data proud to present our academic mission of World Robot Olympiad MSOE is excited to partner with provide distinctive and relevant Science; and four master’s degree partners, a select group of to engage young people from WRO as WRO students have education in an environment of programs (2 years). Members of universities that offer WRO alumni around the world by developing learned the value of critical thinking scientific, technological, and WRO national teams have the the possibility to apply for special their creativity while working to skills, team work, discipline and professional knowledge creation highest chances to enter the IU scholarships. solve challenges through robotic working hard to achieve one’s and innovation. bachelor’s degree program with a competition. goals. WRO students therefore are scholarship covering 100% of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering a great fit in the MSOE community Illinois Tech is excited to offer tuition fees and advanced support offers scholarship opportunities and are eligible for a STEM scholarship opportunities to WRO up to 550USD/month. to WRO alumni that are admitted scholarship at MSOE that is in alumni who are admitted to our to one of the undergraduate addition to the MSOE International undergraduate programs. programs. Student Scholarship offering.

23

Become a national organizer

We welcome all countries interested in joining our global community.

The WRO® program is easy to adapt to your country. We ask of national organizers that they are capable of organizing the national competition independently.

New national organizers are granted a one-year membership that can become a membership for multiple years after a successful first season.

Visit our website for more information.

24 PREMIUM PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

World Robot Olympiad Association C/O Science Centre Singapore 15 Science Centre Road Singapore 609081 [email protected]

Website: wro-association.org Facebook: WorldRobotOlympiad Twitter: @WROOfficial Youtube: youtube.wro-association.org

World Robot Olympiad Association Ltd. is a nonprofit organisation. All revenue from sponsorships and membership fees is invested in support of our mission, which is to promote robotics in STEAM education worldwide. World Robot OlympiadTM and the WRO® logo are trademarks of the World Robot Olympiad Association Ltd. ©2020 World Robot Olympiad Association Ltd. LEGO, the LEGO logo, MINDSTORMS and the MINDSTORMS logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2020 The LEGO Group.