Future Innovators and Advocates Take Center Stage at the 10th Philippine Robothon and 2nd STEAM Education Conference

The stage was set for groundbreaking innovation, from young brilliant minds to advocates, and once again, the organizers and every participant rose to the occasion and delivered exceptional results.

First Eduspec Inc. (FEI), the Philippines’ leading technology-focused education solutions provider, and Rex Education, the country’s premier academic publisher, joined hands to hold the 10th Philippine Robothon and 2nd STEAM Education Conference recently, at the National University – Nazareth School in Manila. 

This highly anticipated event brought together the country’s brightest young minds, top educators, and leading experts in robotics and STEAM education, paving the way for a more technologically advanced future.

The 10th Philippine Robothon carried the theme “D.I.G.I.T.B.A.Y.A.N.: Pagyabong ng Kaalaman, Pag-angat ng Bayan” and featured 138 teams from 38 schools across the nation in a competition that aimed to showcase the critical intersection of robotics, technology, and real-world problem-solving.

The 138 teams competed in two categories, the Mini Robot Challenge and the Innovative Open Category. The Mini Robot Challenge highlighted the vital role of food security and tasked the participants to showcase ingenuity, creativity, and problem-solving skills in tapping technology and robotics to address this important national issue. The Innovative Open Category touched on themes such as inclusive education, sustainable agriculture, disaster response, and artificial intelligence for business efficiency, and challenged the students to reimagine the possibilities of technology in solving real-world problems.

Elizabeth Seton School, Grace Christian Among the Big Winners. 

The much-awaited awarding ceremony followed at 2:00 PM to recognize the winners of the competition’s two categories. Elizabeth Seton School Las Piñas topped the Innovative Open Category – Middle School, followed by St. Mary’s College Inc., Quezon City in second place, and Elizabeth Seton School South in third place.  

San Beda College – Alabang, meanwhile, copped first place in the Innovative Open Category – High School. Joining the NCR-based institution in the winners’ circle are Brokenshire SOCCSKSARGEN (second place) and Immaculate Concepcion College, Balayan (third place).

The overall winner of the Mini Robot Challenge is Grace Christian School, Quezon City. GCF South Metro Christian School bagged first runner-up honor, while Brokenshire College – Toril was hailed second runner-up.

The awarding ceremony concluded with the prestigious Philippine Robothon Emblem Turnover, where the hosting of the 11th Philippine Robothon was officially handed over to the University of San Agustin – Iloilo.

STEAM Education Conference: Providing a Platform for Innovation Exploration

The 2nd STEAM Education Conference came next and provided over 120 educators and school leaders with a platform to explore the future of education. With the theme “STEAM for All – Coding & Robotics as Catalysts for PISA Success,” the conference featured a powerful keynote address by Dr. Alfons Jayson Pelgone of the Philippine Normal University. This was followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by Mr. Paolo Josef Blando of the National Teachers College. 

The panel covered the successful integration of robotics into education, its impact on student performance, and how parents are responding to these technological advancements. Among the esteemed panelists who shared their insights and wisdom were Dr. Cherrie Paniamogan of Brokenshire College – Toril, Dr. Claudette Paracale of the University of San Agustin – Iloilo, Ms. Maria Darin Tagbago and Ms. Eliana Katelyn Li of GCF South Metro Christian School, and Mr. Marc Justin Amurao of Dominican School of Manila.

Dr. Sarah Villanueva of FEI Research added to the dynamic exchange of knowledge by presenting a case study on Skills Assessment Programs. Dr. Vanessa Paula Garcia of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation also provided important insights in her discussion on Quality Assurance in Instruction and Accreditation Frameworks.

The 10th Philippine Robothon and the 2nd STEAM Education Conference were proudly organized by First Eduspec, Inc. and Rex Education. Providing much-needed assistance was the host, National University – Nazareth School. The Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also supported the two events, along with private companies SamLabs, Elex Hub Electronics, Segway, and TornBox Creatives.

As robotics and STEAM education continue to shape the future, the 10th Philippine Robothon and the 2nd STEAM Education Conference Manila stand as testaments to the creativity, ingenuity, and great potential of Filipino students and educators. For quality education, FEI and REX, with partner schools and organizations, will remain engaged and staunch advocates of these developments.

To know more about the 10th Philippine Robothon and 2^nd STEAM Education Conference, visit https://www.facebook.com/EduspecPhilippines?mibextid=ZbWKwL.