Bulgarin Robotics Whiz Kids Shine in Norway
A team of talented young robotics enthusiasts from Varna, Bulgaria, known as Zentivix, recently made their country proud by placing 21st among 50 international teams at the prestigious FIRST LEGO League Open European Championship in Norway.
Initially dubbed “The Sleeping Beauties,” this team’s moniker was later coined as Zentix by an artificial intelligence system, showing a creative collaboration between humans and technology. The members playfully mentioned that there’s no need for them to debate with AI, unlike their parents, appreciating its utility for tasks like name selection.
Pride in Teamwork and Performance
The team’s mentor expressed immense pride in their achievements, specifically highlighting the hard-earned synergy among the members. He reflected on the importance of balance, advocating for online interactive gaming over solitary play, which underscores the value of community in digital spaces.
Zentix’s Journey and Mission
The dedicated bunch—comprising Ivan Yovchev, Ivan Parvanov, Martin Petrov, Alexander Kirchev, and Kalina Dimitrova—have accumulated over 12 levels of robotics expertise over five years, navigating their robotics lessons during weekends. These students, who started learning about robotics as early as 2nd or 3rd grade, now average 14 years of age, showcasing what young minds can achieve through continuous learning.
Representing Bulgaria, Zentix participated in the European Championship held in Bodø, Norway, also the European Capital of Culture for the year 2024. Notably, Bodø is situated beyond the Arctic Circle, where daylight in May stretches for about 16 hours.
In previous years, Varna teams have built a reputation for their cohesion, a tradition that began with their very first competition in 2013. Alongside Zentix, the even younger “Water Ninjas”, with an average age of just over 10, competed this year, bringing an interactive board game to life with near-field communication (NFC) technology.
The preparation for the event commenced in November 2023 and was topped with a final training session on the day of departure. The victory of Zentix was not only the product of the students’ five-year dedication to robotics but also the cumulative mentoring experience spanning 13 years.
Bulgaria has cultivated a robust pedigree in global robotic competitions, and with each victory, aspiration among its young roboticists soars to new heights. Zentivix, with their boundless potential, is a testament to the synergy of tenacity, intellect, and community spirit.
Significance of Robotics in Education and International Competitions
Robotics competitions like the FIRST LEGO League offer students an opportunity to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts in a hands-on, interactive way. Engaging in robotics from an early age fosters critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork skills among young learners. Teams such as Zentix, by participating in these prestigious events, gain invaluable experience that helps them in their educational and career paths in technology fields.
Key Questions and Answers:
Q: What is the FIRST LEGO League?
A: FIRST LEGO League is a global robotics competition that challenges young participants to think like scientists and engineers. During the competition season, teams build, test, and program autonomous robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology to solve a set of missions in the Robot Game. They also develop a solution to a problem they have identified for the Project component of the competition.
Key Challenges and Controversies:
One major hurdle for teams like Zentix is funding. International travel and competition expenses can be substantial, and not all teams have equal access to resources. Fundraising and securing sponsorships are essential for participation. These challenges may create disparities between teams from different geographic and economic backgrounds.
Controversies in robotics competitions may arise surrounding the interpretation of rules or the spirit of the contest, which highlights sportsmanship and cooperation, known collectively as “Gracious Professionalism®” within the FIRST organization.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Competing in international robotics competitions presents several advantages. It encourages young people to engage in STEM activities, promotes the development of soft skills like collaboration and communication, and provides a platform for students to showcase their abilities on an international level.
However, there are disadvantages as well. Intense competition can lead to stress and burnout among participants. Teams may also face the enormous pressure to perform well, which can overshadow the educational and fun aspects of the competition.
For more information on robotics and STEM competitions, you may visit the following website:
The FIRST website provides information on the various robotics competitions they organize for different age groups, along with resources for educators, students, and parents interested in getting involved with FIRST programs.