Firm launches $5,000 robotics contest for students

Tanteeta, a robotics education company, has launched the Eko Robotics Championship (ERC) which is scheduled to hold on October 1, 2021, in Lagos.

The ERC is an initiative aimed at increasing students’ interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by engaging them in a yearly hands-on robotics engineering games and contests.

The firm, in a statement on Thursday, said the competition is open to anyone aged 7-23.

Applicants who are students of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across West Africa, can register. Intending competitors outside schools are also eligible to apply.

Also, applicants do not need to have a prior knowledge of robotics or coding as they would be trained ahead of the competition.

Tanteeta said the competition requires participants to compete in teams, adding that each team falls under one of three age- based categories: junior (ages 7 – 10), intermediate (ages 11 – 16), and senior (ages 17-23).

Each team must consist 3-5 members, and is required to build a proposed project within a given period of time.

The company noted that all junior teams must have a team coach who will register the participants for the championship and serve as a communication channel for his/her team.

Olaoluwa Balogun, chief executive officer of Tanteeta, said the company’s goal is to use ERC as a positive reinforcement for kids, teenagers, educators and parents to embrace STEM education.

“We are creating a vibrant community with a focus around propelling students’ involvement in solving societal problems using technology,” he added.

“We are positive that their participation and experience at the Eko Robotics Championship will encourage and spark their interest to provide real-life and grass-root solutions to grass-root problems.”

Registration closes on June 14 for junior teams, while that of senior teams will remain open till June 30.

The first place winner in the senior category will receive a cash prize of $5,000, second place $3,000, and third place N1,000.

Interested applicants can register for the competition via this link.