Around 2,000 children from all over the world had a unique experience full of challenges and innovation from 24-27 June. These were the 200 teams that took part in the “FIRST® LEGO® League Virtual Open International” World Championship of Robotics and Innovation, organized for the first time in Greece by Eduact.
Students from all over the world presented their innovative ideas and the projects they created with the central theme of sports. At the same time, they had the opportunity to have fun through online interactive games and watch live artistic performances by renowned artists. Eduact and the volunteers’ mission was to create a programme that aimed to reduce distance, enhance fun and send a message of hope for the future.
In the competitive part, the first place went to SESI HEROES from Brazil, the second place to Planck Team from Italy, the third place to Black&White from Slovenia, the fourth place to TROJANS from Egypt and the fifth place to SESI Biotech from Brazil. As for the Greek teams, the NGK team came first in the “Motivate Award” category, the SCRAPS team came second in the “Robot Performance Award” category and the Happy Fit.Ment team came fifth in the “Breakthrough Award” category. You can see all the results by category in detail here.
The competition was watched by more than 28,000 spectators from all over the world. During this, 36 hours of live streaming and 30 hours of recorded video were carried out. As for the Robot Games, it took more than 20 hours of sessions and 1,800 minutes of filming, during which 600 projects were presented. It is estimated that around 12 hours of judging sessions were required to select the winning teams. In addition, 40 live online chats were held via the zoom platform.
The event wants to be the first spark to restart STEM competitions after the hiatus caused by the appearance of COVID-19. As stated by Eduact’s president, Kostas Vasileiou, the aim is to hold the World Championship in person in Thessaloniki.
The FIRST® LEGO® League Virtual Open International was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education & Religious Affairs, FIRST and LEGO Education under the auspices of the Ministry of Digital Governance, the National Committee Greece 2021 and the National Olympic Committee and Academy. This is the first time that a Greek organization has taken over the organization of the event. The World Championship was held this year in hybrid conditions from the facilities of the NOESIS Science Dissemination Centre and Technology Museum.
A major supporter of the event is the Region of Central Macedonia – Vice Region of Digital Governance and the gold sponsor is KLEEMANN. Major sponsors are the companies INTRASOFT International, TITAN, Natural Mineral Water DIOS, ELPE, Avance. Communication sponsor is Nickelodeon. Scientific Partner of the competition is O3 – Out of the Ordinary. The Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Macedonia, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Consulate General of Thessaloniki and the US Embassy in Athens, the Science Dissemination Center and Museum of Technology – NOESIS and the Hellenic Gold Company.
