Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Hundreds of children and teenagers from across Quintana Roo gathered on Saturday for the municipal phase of the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2026, one of the most important educational robotics competitions worldwide.
Teams from various municipalities arrived early at venues set up at the Cancun Planetarium, Playa del Carmen Planetarium, Conalep in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, and the Chetumal Institute of Technology. Simultaneously, they competed in the RoboMission category, the only category held this year in Quintana Roo.
At each table, nerves mixed with concentration. Some participants adjusted sensors and motors minutes before competing, while others reviewed lines of programming code, hoping their robots would successfully complete the challenges.
The competition tested not only technical knowledge but also the ability to work under pressure, solve problems, and coordinate as a team. Parents, teachers, and advisors followed each attempt closely, applauding every successfully completed circuit.
One of the most notable moments occurred in Chetumal, where the Eva Sámano Women’s Robotics Club took first and third place in the Seniors category, establishing itself as one of the standout teams of the event. The victory was celebrated with hugs, photos, and tears of emotion after weeks of preparation with engineer Aracely Márquez, who guided the training and project development.
Beyond the competition, the event showcased a different image of Quintana Roo’s youth: girls and teenagers leading science, technology, and innovation projects, demonstrating that interest in STEM fields continues to grow in the state.
The World Robot Olympiad also reflected the push that educational and scientific institutions aim to give to such activities, seeking to bring new generations closer to programming, robotics, and future technologies.
