Brief overview (What we do)

The World Robot Olympiad is a global LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Competition.

This event combines the world of Science, Engineering, Technology and Education.

It brings together young people from all over the world to develop their creativity, design and problem solving skills through challenging robotics competitions and activities.

Who we target

7 to 19 year olds from schools or home schoolers and private robotics clubs.

How does it work

WRO International in collaboration with the selected host country present an educational theme and the age-related challenges for that year. Teams prepare for about 4-5 months designing, building and programming a robot to complete the challenge with maximum score in the shortest possible time.

Teams enter and participate in provincial WRO competitions and then qualify to attend the National WRO.

What will it cost

Entry fees may vary depending on sponsorship. 2016 fees were R250 per person for Provincial entry.

What do we get/ What am I awarded

Participants receive participation certificates and winners receive certificates and medals per their placing.

Winners receive a LEGO WRO floating trophy, can represent South Africa internationally and can be awarded National colours.

Competition timelines

The challenges and rules are released in February, Provincials run in July/August and the National WRO in early September.

2016 there were 4 Provincial competitions being Gauteng, Western Cape, Kwazulu Natal and Gauteng West (Atteridgeville Township) Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga are on the cards for 2017/18 .

The National participation was 211 teams in 2015 and 285 teams in 2016.

Entry Requirements

Teachers/coaches will enter teams of two or three learners into the annual competition via the website www.wrosa.co.za

The specified age groups for Regular and Open category are 7 to 12 years for Elementary, 13 to 15 for Junior and 16 to 19 for Senior.

WRO Football is for 10 to 19 years old and Advanced Robotics Category is for 17 to 25 years old.

Hosted by

WRO World Robot Olympiad is managed and co- ordinated by Hands On Technologies as the approved custodian in South Africa www.handsontech.co.za

The benefits include

  • Provide students an opportunity to expand their horizons through exploration of robots, coding and robotic systems in and out of
  • Introduce the concept of modern science into school’s educational activities in science and technology.
  • Provide an opportunity to promote creative thinking, improve communications and co- operation skills, plus strengthen the ability to acquire new knowledge highly relevant towards progressive
  • To widen the youth’s view in the application of science & technology, improve their learning efficiency & encourage participation inspiring our future scientists, engineers and