El Educational Robotics Tournament Las Rozas Challenge It has once again established itself as one of the key events on the educational and technological calendar of the Community of Madrid. This municipal event, with a clear focus on being a leading STEM event, brings together students from different educational levels to test their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
With each edition, the Las Rozas Challenge It has established itself as an environment where students can experiment with robotics, programming, and emerging technologies in a competitive yet fun and educational context. The event takes place in municipal facilities, with a final day at the Entremontes sports center, which has already become a meeting point for families, teachers and professionals in the technology sector.
The competition is promoted by the Department of Economy, Innovation and Employment Organized by the Las Rozas City Council, headed by Alba Monteiro, and supported by educational and technological institutions, this tournament is not an isolated event but rather an integral part of a municipal strategy to promote digital talent and scientific vocations.
The organization emphasizes that the main objective is to promote scientific and technological vocations and to promote projects capable of bringing real improvements to society through technology. In this sense, teams are encouraged to devise creative solutions applied to everyday problems, going beyond mere technical demonstrations.
According to SEPE Labor Market Trends ReportProfiles linked to technology and information are among the fastest growing in Spain. The Las Rozas Challenge aligns with this trend, offering a setting where young people develop highly sought-after skills: computational thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Design, construction and programming of robots with mandatory AI
The heart of the tournament is the creation of technological solutions by the students. The teams must design, build and program robots or prototypes that solve different challenges posed by the organization. These tests allow the application of robotics and programming concepts in practical and often highly visual situations.
One of the major new features that remains in the current edition is that the Artificial Intelligence (AI) It is mandatory for all submitted projects. This aims to familiarize participants with tools and concepts already present in everyday life and which will have increasing importance in the European and Spanish job market.
In addition to AI, the tournament incorporates other emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Print 3DThese disciplines are integrated not only into the project development phase, but also into parallel training initiatives, aimed at both students and teachers.
To ensure that the projects are not limited to a one-off experience, they have been scheduled training sessions for teachers throughout the school year. These training sessions cover AI, VR, AR, and 3D printing content with the aim of providing teachers with the resources and criteria to integrate these technologies into the classroom beyond the tournament, including the use of educational kits such as CrowPi 3.
The participating teams, for their part, have online tutoring during the development of their proposals. This technical and methodological support facilitates the solid evolution of the projects, helps to resolve specific doubts, and allows for a more continuous learning process.
Participation, categories and technological areas of the tournament
The eighth edition of the Las Rozas Challenge is expected to include the participation of 24 educational centers in the municipalityThis data demonstrates the involvement of the local school community in educational robotics. In total, [number of] have been formed 36 equipment, which is a del% increase 30 over the previous year.
The groups are made up of up to ten students Each member works under the direct guidance of a responsible teacher. This structure allows all members to play an active role in the project's development, whether in the technical aspects, design, documentation, or final presentation.
Each team chooses one of the four proposed technological areas by organization: Programming and Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Virtual and Augmented Reality, or 3D Design and Printing. This division by disciplines helps projects to specialize as students delve deeper into the fields that interest them most.
Within the area of Programming and AIParticipants work with tools commonly used in the educational environment, such as Scratch, App Inventor, or even HTMLto create interactive applications or solutions. The aim is for students to understand from the inside how the software they use daily is built.
In the block of Collaborative the call highlights RobotónThis challenge involves teams developing an autonomous robot capable of transporting cubes with letters and forming the longest possible word. This test combines programming, mechanics, sensors, and strategy, and is usually one of the most visually stunning for the audience.
Virtual reality, 3D printing and related activities
The tournament also includes a significant space for the Virtual Reality and Augmented RealityThis is part of the so-called Virtual Challenge. In this format, students present immersive or interactive projects that can range from educational experiences to simulations or games with a training component.
Another key aspect of the tournament is the Design and 3D Printingwhich materializes in the 3D Model Challenge. In this case, the teams must design and present a model created collaboratively using 3D printing, which requires coordinating phases of digital design, modeling and production.
Beyond the strictly competitive tests, the Las Rozas Challenge Educational Robotics Tournament incorporates Parallel activities Open to the educational community and families, these activities include hands-on workshops, technology demonstrations, and experimental spaces where the public can directly engage with robotics, AI, and virtual reality.
Technology professionals participate as mentors and volunteerscollaborating in the facilitation of activities and offering guidance to the teams. This interaction allows students to learn firsthand about real professional profiles and ask questions about studies, career paths, or experiences in ICT companies.
As part of the preparation, a prior meeting of participants, scheduled for April 8, which allows teams to get to know each other, share initial ideas and familiarize themselves with the tournament format before the big final day.
Competition development and evaluation criteria
The culminating phase of the Las Rozas Challenge Educational Robotics Tournament will be held in the Entremontes sports centerwhere the different disciplines converge on a single day. This space is transformed into a large technological stage with specific areas set up for each event and facilities for spectators.
El April 25 This is the scheduled date for the final day, when the 36 teams will have to test their solutions before the jury and the other participants. Throughout the day, there will be demonstrations, evaluation rounds, and opportunities for students to explain their work and answer questions from the evaluators.
In the area of Programming and AIThe Programming and AI Challenge focuses on creating tools, applications, or interactive projects that solve specific problems using code and algorithms. The correct use of Artificial Intelligence and the project's potential utility are especially valued.
In the modality of CollaborativeRobotón focuses on the autonomy and precision of the designed robot. Teams must calibrate motors, sensors, and movement strategies to complete the task of transporting cubes with letters, all within a limited time and with well-defined rules.
El Virtual Challenge The 3D Model Challenge completes the program, providing the most visual and immersive aspect of the competition. In both cases, attention is paid not only to the final result, but also to the work process, the documentation prepared, and the clarity with which the students explain their technical and creative decisions.
A specialized jury and a focus on key competencies
The projects presented in the Las Rozas Challenge Educational Robotics Tournament are evaluated by a specialized juryThe team is composed of individuals with experience in fields such as engineering, programming, education, and technological innovation. This composition aims to ensure a balanced evaluation between the technical and educational aspects.
Among the evaluation criteria, the following stand out: technical mastery of the tools used, the creativity of the proposed solution, the degree of teamwork The prototype or application is proven to function correctly. The feasibility of the ideas and their potential positive impact on the environment are also analyzed.
La presentation quality Each project has a specific weight in the final score. Students' ability to clearly communicate their objectives, the process followed, and the results obtained is assessed, as well as the structure of the presentation and the use of visual resources or live demonstrations.
In order to encourage language learning, the tournament includes a additional punctuation This applies to teams that present their projects in English. This measure connects language skills with the technological field, something especially relevant in an increasingly globalized job market.
Beyond awards or recognition, the organization insists that the main value lies in the learning process that teams experience: planning, prototyping, making mistakes, improving, and finally, sharing their work with other colleagues and professionals.
Bridge between school, the labor market and the community
The Las Rozas Challenge Educational Robotics Tournament is part of a series of complementary educational initiatives These programs aim to reinforce formal education with practical experiences. The intention is for students to gain confidence in using emerging technologies and to see science and engineering as accessible and approachable fields.
The City Council emphasizes that these types of projects help to aligning the education system with the demands of the labor market Spanish and European trends, as reflected in studies such as the one by the SEPE (Spanish Public Employment Service), highlight the prominent role of technology and information. Thus, the tournament acts as a bridge between the classroom and the real needs of businesses and organizations.
Furthermore, the event reinforces the link between schools, families and local administrationThe involvement of teachers, mothers, fathers and municipal officials creates an ecosystem in which innovation is not limited to laboratories or computer classrooms, but is integrated into the daily life of the municipality.
For centers interested in participating or expanding their involvement in future editions, detailed information on deadlines, requirements and resources is available through the municipal website specializing in innovation. www.lasrozasnext.orgas well as through the contact email provided by the organization.
With all this, the Las Rozas Challenge Educational Robotics Tournament has become a stable platform for young talentwhere students can experiment with robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and digital fabrication while developing essential transversal skills. Through this combination of hands-on learning, teacher support, and connection with the professional world, the municipality of Las Rozas continues its commitment to technological education that prepares its students for present and future challenges.
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