Agrupamento de Escolas Raul Proença represents Portugal at the World Robot Olympiad

Agrupamento de Escolas Raul Proença once again put the name of Caldas da Rainha and Portugal on the world map of educational robotics by taking part, for the second consecutive year, in the World Robot Olympiad (WRO 2025), held in Singapore between 26 and 28 November, on a trip that extended from 22 November to 1 December. In this edition, the Programming and Robotics Club had two teams competing in the Robomission Junior and RoboSports categories. This was an important moment to consolidate the work developed in the school group, in a year in which around 600 teams from approximately 90 countries took part in the world's largest showcase of educational robotics.

The WRO stands out as a space where students from all over the world explore complex technological challenges, presenting innovative solutions and demonstrating skills ranging from advanced programming to mechanical engineering. In this setting, the teams from Agrupamento de Escolas Raul Proença showed commitment, dedication and an exemplary competitive spirit.

In the RoboMission Junior category, the students built and programmed an autonomous robot to complete various challenges within limited time frames, including obstacles and transporting objects to specific locations. In addition to the previously known missions, the team faced an extra challenge on the second day and around 12 surprise challenges on the final day, requiring great adaptability and quick reasoning. Showing technical maturity and team spirit, they scored 201 points, achieving 77th place among 114 teams and securing the bronze medal, awarded to teams with above-average global performance.

In the RoboSports category, the team experienced its first international participation in a World Robot Olympiad (WRO) competition, where strategy, speed and coordination between robots are essential. In the current challenge, "Double Tennis", two teams compete with two autonomous robots each, trying to push balls into the opposing field. Built with LEGO or Arduino materials and subject to size and weight limits, these robots use cameras and other sensors to interpret the environment, react with precision and adapt their strategy in real time.

The matches played by the Portuguese team in this category took place only in the group stage, where they faced selections from different continents. The young students from Caldas da Rainha began the group stage with three 3-0 victories against teams from Nigeria, Mexico and Kazakhstan. Two draws followed, and then the first defeat, in a very close match against Singapore, the host country and recognised for the strength of its teams. Against Japan, the team recorded one draw and two defeats, and finished the group stage with three defeats against the Philippines. Overall, they achieved 25th place among 56 teams.

Although they did not advance beyond the group stage, the overall performance was considered extremely positive for a first international participation, revealing determination, responsiveness and very promising potential for future editions.

Success in national and international competitions reflects the continuous and structured work developed over recent years by the Programming and Robotics Club, which currently has around 45 students from Years 7 to 12. The club provides young people with a practical and collaborative learning space, where they develop skills in programming, robotics, electronics and engineering, while strengthening transversal skills such as teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving.

Day to day, the students take part in projects ranging from building autonomous robots to solving programming challenges, with support and guidance from teachers. This intensive preparation, combined with participation in national and international competitions, turns the club into a space of creativity, offering students educational experiences that complement and enrich their curriculum.

Being in Singapore offered the students not only a high-level competitive experience, but also a culturally rich trip. The city-state impressed with its organisation, modernity and diversity, with landscapes that seemed straight out of a futuristic film. The students visited some of the country's most emblematic places, such as the Marina Bay area and the ArtScience Museum, with its bold architecture, the futuristic suspended gardens of Gardens by the Bay and the cinematic universe of Universal Studios. The visit extended to the multicultural neighbourhoods of Chinatown and Little India, where colours, aromas and traditions meet on every corner. It was an opportunity to discover new cultures, broaden horizons and live experiences they will certainly remember.

This entire experience was only possible thanks to the essential support of our sponsors, who believe in the value of technological education and in the transformative impact of these opportunities on young people's education. Agrupamento de Escolas Raul Proença expresses its deepest gratitude to the following organisations:

ANPRI, Município das Caldas da Rainha, Pavilhão do Conhecimento - Centro Ciência Viva, Supercasa, Dunbelt, Mauser, Transwhite, Lda, DX Patrol, INESC TEC, Nutea, Bresimar Automação S.A., Da Silva, DNC Técnica, Lda, Softpack, Grupo Fábrica, Interact - Caldas da Rainha and Junta de Freguesia do Pópulo, Coto e São Gregório.

Without this generous support, participation in WRO 2025 would not have been possible, nor would such enriching and unforgettable experiences have been provided for our students.

The Portuguese delegation also included Agrupamento de Escolas São Gonçalo, from Torres Vedras, competing in the Future Engineers and Future Innovators categories, reinforcing the talent and dedication of Portuguese students in the field of educational robotics.

This participation in WRO 2025 reinforces not only the excellence and commitment of the students of Agrupamento de Escolas Raul Proença, but also the importance of investing in programming and robotics education from an early age. The teams' journey shows that curiosity, creativity and teamwork can lead talented young people to compete and stand out at the highest international level. More than medals or rankings, the experience lived in Singapore leaves a legacy of learning, inspiration and motivation for everyone who is part of the club, opening doors to new achievements and challenges in the future of educational robotics in Portugal.