The University of Saint Louis (USL), Tuguegarao City, won four awards in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) International Challenge 2018 (International Robothon) held at Huaqiang Vocational Technical School in Shenzhen, China on Nov. 25, 2018.

A total of 147 teams from seven countries, namely: China, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, which had 23 teams from different schools around the country, joined the robotics competition.

The USL team, composed of nine junior high school students, was divided into three groups: Team Alpha – Juliana Jessica B. Dalupang, Sean Kyro B. Patino, and Jameson T. Uy; Team Bravo – Daniel Ian Z. Atilano, Klark Darwin T. Mabbonag, and Priam Pharaoh S. Pauig; and Team Charlie – Leon Joy S. Achanzar, Claro S. Claveria II, and Malcolm Julian L. Co.

Team Charlie (Achanzar, Claveria, and Co), with a team from Las Piñas Montessori School, won the gold trophy and medals in the VEX IQ Middle Teamwork Challenge. On the other hand, Team Alpha (Dalupang, Patino, and Uy) garnered second place in the VEX IQ Middle Programming Skills Challenge receiving a silver trophy, silver medals, and cash prize of $360 USD.

Moreover, Team Charlie and Team Bravo (Atilano, Mabbonag and Pauig) received distinction and excellence awards, respectively, in the VEX IQ Middle Programming Skills Challenge.

It was in October this year when the USL teams competed in the 6th Philippine Robothon held in Trinity University of Asia, Quezon City.

The students were coached by Mr. Genard T. Sonido, an Eduspec Robotics teacher in USL.

Ms. Mary Ann Baquiran, the High School principal, said of the achievements, “Thanks to the USL administration for allowing the Robothon participants to go to the International Challenge. Such experience is something that can boost the confidence of our students and inspire them to explore [learn] more and give their best. And to their parents for their full support and trust in the capacity of USL and of their respective children – that they can fairly compete in the international arena despite being first-time international participants. And lastly, for all the achievements, to God be the glory.”