The two-day provincial finals, held on August 7-8 at the Center for Science Discovery and Innovation in Quy Nhon Nam Ward, featured five competition divisions and highlighted growing student engagement with robotics and STEM education across the province.
Beyond determining which teams would advance, the competition gave students an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to practical challenges, strengthening their programming, engineering, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
During each round, teams had only a few minutes to complete assigned tasks on the competition field. Those brief performances, however, were the result of weeks spent designing, assembling, programming, testing and adjusting their robots.
Tran Trung Kien, a student at Quang Trung Secondary School in Quy Nhon Nam Ward who competed in Division B2, said his team devoted considerable time to preparing its robot for the required tasks.
For Kien, one of the most valuable parts of the experience was working with teammates to identify and resolve problems whenever the robot failed to operate as intended. The competition also helped the students gain programming experience, deepen their understanding of STEM and learn from the approaches adopted by rival teams.
Le Thanh Tu Uyen, a student at Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted in Quy Nhon Ward, spent nearly a month with her teammates testing and fine-tuning their robot.
Even operations that appeared reliable during preparation sometimes had to be recalculated and reprogrammed when conditions changed on the competition field. The repeated trial-and-error process gave the students a clearer understanding of how their robot worked and greater confidence ahead of the contest.
Nguyen Huu Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, said robotics competitions have particular value for teaching and learning, including project-based education.
By designing, assembling, programming and operating robots, students can apply knowledge of science, technology and mathematics to specific challenges while developing logical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving abilities.
Ha also pointed to the significant increase in the number of teams this year as an indication of growing interest in STEM education among schools. A larger field gives students more opportunities to compete, exchange ideas, learn from one another and discover their own abilities, he said.
Five teams take top prizes
After two days of competition, organizers awarded five first prizes, six second prizes, seven third prizes, nine consolation prizes and several other category awards.
The five first-prize winners were Ngo May 1 Primary School Team from Ngo May Primary School in Division B1; Nguoi May Nhi from Tran Hung Dao Secondary School in Division B2; DQGT from Chu Van An High School for the Gifted in Division B3; Cho Go-B4 from Tuy Phuoc Secondary School in Division B4; and Dat Vo from Nguyen Thai Hoc No. 1 High School in Division B5.
Based on the provincial results, 49 teams were selected for the ROBOTACON WRO 2026 national finals. The Ngo May Primary School team will also represent Gia Lai at the WRO Open Championship in India in September 2026.
The participation of teams from 73 educational institutions reflects the expanding presence of STEM and robotics activities in schools across Gia Lai. Each entry involved sustained work by students, teachers and coaches to design, program, test and refine robots before competition.
Nguyen Anh Nhat, a teacher who guided the Cho Go-B4 and Cho Go-B5 teams from Tuy Phuoc Secondary School in Tuy Phuoc Commune, said students' development during the preparation process was as significant as their final results.
Repeated cycles of assembly, programming, testing and modification encouraged students to take greater initiative in learning, cooperate with teammates and jointly find solutions when problems emerged.
Nhat said competitions such as ROBOTACON WRO give students a practical setting in which to apply their knowledge and develop an interest in STEM. They also give teachers opportunities to adapt their teaching methods and connect scientific and technological concepts with practical problems.
Gia Lai to host national finals
Gia Lai will host the ROBOTACON WRO 2026 national finals at Quy Nhon University from August 21 to 23. About 165 teams and nearly 500 contestants are expected to participate.
Ha said hosting large-scale robotics competitions provides students with opportunities to interact and compete while supporting the development of a broader STEM-Robotics education ecosystem.
The province also aims to gradually develop a core group of teachers and coaches and help prepare a younger generation with skills relevant to science and technology.
