Cebu teams among PH representatives to robotics Olympics
THREE Lapu-Lapu City Science and Technology Education Center (STEC) teams will be among the Philippine representatives to the 2013 World Robot Olympiad to be held from Nov. 15 to 17 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The STEC robotics teams were ranked first in the high school level regular category and third and fourth in the elementary school level of the same category at the 12th Philippine Robotics Olympiad (PRO) held recently at SM North Edsa. They were coached by Donald B. Dungog and engineer Jonathan J. Cartilla.
The STEC-Science and Technology High School team, supported by Aboitiz Foundation, was composed of Syrum Quinto, Kent Tiu and Keenu Manayon.
The elementary school team was composed of Joshua Obierez, Natasha Cabanillas, Jose Manuel Gaquit, Aaron Antonio, Brian Ciriaco and Carla Castillo.
Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Aboitiz Group, donated P180,000 for four robotics kits. Sonny Carpio, the foundation’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said they supported the development of science elementary schools to create a bigger impact in host communities.
STEC is known as one of Cebu’s best public schools, with a special orientation toward science and technology.
Mylene Abiva, PRO’s national organizer, said the competition encouraged the youth to become scientists, engineers and inventors.
Entries were made from the Lego building system and manipulated using NXT or RCX brick, a microcomputer that served as a “brain.” Participants also used computers to design programs for the robots. Robots were then programmed via Bluetooth to accomplish various tasks.
The school teams that ranked in the Top 4 at the 12th PRO are:
Regular category, elementary school level:
1. Marie Ernestine School
2. Tibagan Elementary School B
3. STEC B
4. STEC A
Regular category, high school:
1. STEC
2. Benigno S. Aquino High School B
3. Dr. Caridad C. Labe Education CentrEx Inc. A
4. Philippine Science High School-Bicol Campus B
Open category, elementary school:
1. Dr. Yanga’s Colleges
2. Grace Christian College
3. Santo Cristo Elementary School
4. Mater Dei Academy
Open category, high school:
1. Dr. Yanga’s Colleges
2. Grace Christian College
3. Claret School of Quezon City
4. Valenzuela City Science High School
A total of 30 countries are expected to participate in the Jakarta Olympiad.