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World Robot Olympiad (WRO)

Main Idea: WRO is a global competition that unites science, technology, and education. Its «heart» is the LEGO construction kit (Mindstorms / Spike Prime), and its «brain» is the annual global theme.

What makes it special?

• Global Theme: Every year, WRO announces a new theme relevant to the whole world (e.g., «Smart Cities,» «Climate Squad,» «Food Matters»). All field tasks and creative projects are built around this theme.
• Platform (LEGO): Most categories (especially RoboMission) are based on LEGO robotics kits. This makes the competition very accessible to schools and clubs worldwide.
• «Surprise Rule»: This is a famous WRO «feature.» Teams prepare the robot in advance, but on the day of the competition, a «surprise rule» is announced — a small but important change in the task or the placement of objects on the field. This tests not «memorized» code, but a real understanding of engineering and programming, as well as the team’s ability to adapt quickly.

What are the robot’s tasks? Competitions are divided into several categories:

• RoboMission (Regular Category): An autonomous LEGO robot must complete a series of missions related to the year’s theme on a special field within 2 minutes (e.g., «sorting trash,» «delivering saplings,» «installing solar panels» — all made of LEGO bricks).
• Future Innovators (Open Category): Teams do not just build a robot, but present a full-fledged project solution for the year’s problem using robotics.
• RoboSports: Here, robots (often not just LEGO) compete against each other in «sports,» for example, in robo-football or tennis.

Goal: To develop students’ problem-solving skills, creativity, and programming in an engaging, thematic environment, as well as to test their ability to adapt quickly.