Last Updated: 01/23/2012*

More than 1,500 students from 34 countries around the world convened in Abu Dhabi Nov. 18-20 for the eighth annual International World Robot Olympiad (WRO). One of the largest international robotic competitions in the world, WRO 2011 was hosted by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and sponsored in part by Raytheon.

Students competed in teams of three to create, design and build robots to solve specific problems or challenges by applying their knowledge in science, engineering, mathematics and computer programming. WRO is one of many science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives Raytheon supports in the Middle East and around the globe to help students develop innovation and problem-solving skills and advance in science and technology.

“When we were kids, there was a lot more stuff we could take apart and break and put back together,” said Dr. Fraser M. Smith, president of Raytheon Sarcos, the robotics and microelectronics capability in Salt Lake City that Raytheon acquired in 2007. “WRO helps re-create opportunities for kids to discover technology and robotics, and it has been successful in getting students excited at an early age about math, science and college. It’s working and it’s growing.”

Dr. Smith met and provided advice to many student teams at the competition. He also delivered a keynote speech to mark the official opening of the fourth WRO International Symposium on Robotics in Education and took part in a special panel discussion on the future of robotics in education. Panelists included Dr. Mohammed Tabbara, professor in Computer Sciences at the Higher Colleges of Technology; Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, managing director of the Institute of Applied Technology; Steven Canvin, Global LEGO Mindstorms community manager; Anthony Hill, ICT faculty lecturer at Emirates College of Advanced Education; and Fred Ayala, team manager of International School Manila Nucleatrons.