November 25, 2020 – The Department of Education (DepEd) lauded the Philippine National Robotics teams for securing global recognition at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Canada 2020X held virtually last November 12-15.

DepEd – Division of Bohol pride Mary Haidee Makinano, Trisha Belle Olaivar, and Juno Ceasar Escatron from Candijay Municipality High School garnered the 3rd Place – Bronze Medal for OPEN Category of Junior High School.

Their breakthrough project is called Bohol Action to Solidify Agrikultura (BASAK) that composes of wind turbines, water pumps, and biomass generators for the agriculture industry in their province.

Meanwhile, Naiah Nicole Mendoza, Denise Carpio, and Abigail Silva of Dr. Yanga Colleges, Inc. captured the 1st Place – Gold Medal for the OPEN Category of Senior High School through the ‘PROJECT FEET’.

The said project is three-way innovation that includes Plastic Recycling, Power Generation, and Provision of Footwear and it can also manufacture footwear from plastic trash and imbed with piezo discs that can generate power for mobile phones and other gadgets.

Also, Annette Nicole Ambi, Aaron James Amar, and Daniella Angela De Guzman from the same school crafted the ‘PROJECT CYCLE’ and brought home the 2nd Place – Silver Medal for the OPEN Category of Junior High School.

The aim of this is to have a bicycle that can convert trash paper mixed with water lilies to make recycled paper and can also generate power for mobile phones and other gadgets.

“I am aware that we have been facing adversities and challenges recently but seeing these learners triumph in the international stage motivates us to prepare and enhance basic education more for their future,” shared DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones.

Furthermore, Mylene Abiva, the National Organizer of the Philippine Robotics Olympiad, shared that the students experienced setbacks and hurdles along the way before winning in their respective categories.

“The Philippine Robotics National Team overcame the adversity of slow internet access, remote meetings, school closure, and series of typhoons and online presentations to the WRO Canada judges,” said Abiva.

Abiva shared that being part of the program was not easy since it was held virtually and more than 720 students from over 40 countries participated in the event.

 

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