Robots have a ball in high-school competition
Robots like those in the hit movie and television show “Transformers” may not stay in the realm of science fiction for long.
High-school students showed during the first-ever varsity-type robotics competition in the country, organized by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (SEI), that with the right tools and the motivation, they just might be able to build robots capable of complicated tasks.
Grace Christian College (GCC) Team Gracean Whiz bagged the Best Team award. The team won a trophy, gold medals and P100,000 cash prize. Coach Warren Ongpe received P30,000.
GCC also won the Best Alliance Award with Dr. Yanga’s College Inc. (DYCI) Team DYCI Trojans and Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) Team R-11 Mekanismo. The alliance won silver medals, trophies and P150,000. Coaches Ongpe, Romyr Gimeno of DYCI and Maron Catalina of RNSHS received P30,000.
The competition, Tagisang Robotics: Design, Build and Play, had for its theme “Pagyabong ng Kalinangan at Pagkakaisa sa Gitna ng Pakikipagtunggali.” It was held in collaboration with the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center and SM Prime Holdings at One Esplanade Building, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
The two-day robotics competition showcased the creativity, wit and unity of the students and their coaches through their custom-made robots.
Science Secretary Mario G. Montejo said robotics technology was a promising industry in the country as it could help ease human life.
Montejo said, through robotics, “we can expect improved delivery of services, the sunshine industry of our country; and better, faster creation of new products.”
The secretary reported that the Philippines had risen 10 notches in the latest Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum, compared with last year. The Philippines was ranked this year 75th out of 122 countries surveyed.
Prior to the competition, the SEI provided the participating 24 schools with kits containing the basic parts, tools and equipment they would need to start building their robots.
Additional parts were provided by the schools. Robots had to stay within the required dimensions: 2x2x2 feet.
SEI Director Dr. Filma G. Brawner said, “We want our students to think out of the box and execute their ideas in fields they have not ventured in before.” SEI implements and supports programs to promote a science and technology culture to create a pool of future scientists and engineers for the Philippines.
Brawner added, “The robots that the contest participants have made are proof that they have jumped out of the box and explored real-world robotics.”
The robots were tested in a football-like game, with the schools divided into Red and Blue alliances. Three teams composed each alliance, with each team consisting of two students—one to drive the robot and the other as shooter or alliance commander.
The shooter had to shoot balls to his alliance’s goal. The robots, all set in the playing field, could defend the goal, collect or shoot balls as well.
Alliances changed at each match. The four teams with the highest scores went on to the semifinals. Each of the top four teams chose two other teams to be their allies until the final round.
Special awards were also given by the other sponsors.
Muntinlupa Science High School Team Munsci Jailbreakers won the Thinklab Best Blog Award.
Caloocan High School Team Mechanical High won Felta’s Most Popular Robot and Alexan Most Popular Team awards.
The Philippine Science High School Main Campus Team Liyab won National Instruments’ Best Engineering Award.
The other schools that joined the competition were Bangkal National High School, Benigno Aquino High School, Caruhatan National High School, Hope Christian High School, La Salle Greenhills High School, Las Piñas Science High School, Makati Science High School, Mandaluyong High School, Manila Science High School, Parañaque Science High School, Pasay City Science High School, Pasig City Science High School, Quezon City Science High School, Rizal High School, St. Paul College of Makati, Taguig City Science High School, Tibagan High School and Valenzuela City Science High School.
