The 16th Philippine Robotics Olympiad concluded last September 15, 2017 at 4F Cyberzone SM Annex, North Edsa, Quezon City was a huge success. PRO is a yearly competition which exhibits competencies in building and programming robots and enhances creativity, computational thinking and problem-solving skills. “Sustainabots: Robots for Sustainability” was this year’s competition theme. Technical and creative categories were joined in by teams from public and private schools all over the Philippines.
In the SHS Creative (Open) Category, team from Mater Dei Academy, MDA EONS, topped other schools with their entry, PROJECT THALES, a robot which incorporates three renewable sources of energy: hydropower, solar power, and gravity. Furthermore, Project Thales has sensors which could detect water pH and oxygen level. It also detects air quality. This project aims to sustain Taal Lake where fish kill was experienced last 2008 and 2014. Team members included Karen Claire C. Garcia (Grade 12), Justine Paul B. Cordovilla (Grade 12), and Jerold Markus T. De Guzman (Grade 11).
The Grade School team, MDA WILDLIFE PROTECTORS, placed third in the Creative (Open) Category Elementary Division. Team members, Mary Gayle Andrey M. Ferre, Julka Hannah O. Antivola, and Alfred N. Go presented, MANGRO-BOT, a mangrove planting robot. Mangro-Bot aims to sustain shoreline communities by planting mangroves. GPS and Ultrasonic sensors are also part of the robot’s features. The SHS Technical (Regular) Category MDA team representatives, Patrick John C. Garcia and Christian James Pasco, were awarded 5th place among 36 teams from different schools. Other participants in the Technical (Regular) categories for Grade and Junior High School were Philippe Rae V. Varias (Grade 6), John Matthew V. Kong (Grade 6), Angelo Liam Andre Israel (Grade 10), Christian Kong (Grade 10), and Jose Maria M. Cabrera (Grade 9). Participants and their coaches, Mr. Amador Rosario and Miss Annabelle N. Delos Reyes, expressed their gratitude to this wonderful experience through the support and faith of the school directress, Sr. Ma. Luisa M. Nemis, SMdC, and other school administrators.
SHS MDA Eons shall represent the Philippines in San Jose, Costa Rica for the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) this coming November 7-15, 2017.
MDA Robotics Team members (students and coaches) expressed gratitude to the Lord and to all who contributed to their success in the competition and to be given the opportunity to represent the country and become the pride of Tagaytay City.