World Robot Olympiad Association is pleased to announce, that Panama has been chosen as host of the International Final 2023.
The announcement was made after a video conference, where the First Lady of Panama, Yazmín Colón de Cortizo, the Minister of Education Maruja Gorday de Villalobos and National Organizer, President of FUNDESTEAM Marvin Castillo, made the final presentation for the candidacy in front of the Board of Directors of the WRO Association.
To National Organizer Marvin Castillo becoming host country is a historic milestone for Panama.
“Now students, teachers, parents and citizens in general will know the importance of STEAM Education. How WRO’s approach helps developing countries improve the quality of their education, how it provides students with 21st century skills, and contribute to their employability – leading to a more equitable and sustainable economic growth.”
FUNDESTEAM has held national WRO finals since 2015, and so far 5,000 students from 100 public and private schools across the country have competed.
Regional hub for educational robotics
Now the work begins to prepare for the more than 5,000 international visitors, who will be attending the International Final in 2023, including a high participation of Latin American countries. Panama is eager to consolidate its position as a regional hub in the field of educational robotics, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
The coming months will see initiatives such as creating awareness in the education sector, training and preparing 1,500 teachers, setting up extracurricular STEAM education clubs, and selecting the SDG theme for the #WRO2023 Future Innovators and RoboMission categories.
During the International Final 7th to 9th November 2023, there will also be excursions for 100,000 students to the new Amador Convention Center. This will be organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Supporters of Panama as host country include Panama Canal, SENACYT, INDICASAT, PROPANAMA, PROMTUR, Chamber of Commerce, AMCHAM, CAPATEC, Smithsonian, City of Knowledge, and Panama Convention Center.
