The world meets in Izmir.

The countdown continues for the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2024 Turkey International Final. The final, organized by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, IZFAS, and the Science Heroes Association, will take place at Fuar Izmir between November 28-30, bringing the world together in Izmir. 3,500 participants will represent 90 countries from every continent.

With the WRO 2024 Turkey International Final, children and young people interested in science and robotics from all over the world will gather in Izmir. At the WRO 2024 Turkey International Final, children and young people will expand their knowledge of robotic technologies while also meeting peers from different places and exchanging ideas. The Olympiad, which will take place at Fuar Izmir from November 28-30, will feature 562 teams and 3,500 participants from 90 countries. This year’s final will be organized under the theme “EARTH ALLIES”; participants will focus on the efficient and fair use of our planet’s limited resources and will share suggestions on how we can benefit from robotic solutions before and after natural disasters. The organization, held for the first time in Turkey, will not only contribute to scientific and technological development but will also enhance awareness of cultural diversity and collaboration.

Tugay: We are proud as Izmir

Dr. Cemil Tugay, the Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, who will host the event, expressed his happiness in welcoming 3,500 children and young people from 90 countries to the city. Dr. Tugay stated, “These olympiads provide a unique opportunity for young people to get acquainted with science, increase their interest in technology, and develop solutions to the problems of the future. As Izmir, we are also proud to contribute to the development of scientific curiosity and learning. In this event, which reflects the importance we attach to science and technology, our greatest wish is for each participant coming to Izmir to also get to know our culture and the beauties of our city. We aim to make them feel at home and closely experience Izmir’s warm hospitality.”

Prof. Dr. Demir: Important for training future scientists

Prof. Dr. Sıddıka Semahat Demir, President of the Science Heroes Association, said, “We are very proud to be organizing the 2024 World Robot Olympiad Turkey International Final. This event, which will bring together participants from 90 countries, offers an opportunity to further empower our children and youth in the fields of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics). Under the theme we have defined as EARTH ALLIES, participating students will discover ways to live in harmony with nature and share their robotic solutions that contribute to the planet’s sustainability. This prestigious organization is an important step to strengthen scientific collaborations in our country and to train our youth as the scientists of the future.”

Uniting the world

The WRO 2024 Turkey International Final is bringing together children and young people from all over the world, elevating Izmir to the global technology and science stage. This international event will also lead to significant tourism activity in Izmir. Guests from 90 countries will have the opportunity to explore the unique historical and cultural riches of Izmir, which has an 8,500-year history. Many businesses in Izmir, such as hotels, tourist attractions, and restaurants, will host WRO guests as a result of the event.

Projects of youth aged 8-19 will be exhibited

The World Robot Olympiad aims to develop the creative thinking and problem-solving skills of students from primary school to university through educational and thought-provoking robotics tournaments and events. The tournaments, which started with only 12 countries in Asia, now continue with the participation of nearly 90 countries. Children aged 8-19 work on robotic projects with their teams each year based on a theme determined at the beginning of the year. Country finalists from teams that first showcase their work in their own countries participate in the international final held in another country each year. The WRO Turkey finals have been organized since 2016 in collaboration with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, IZFAS, and the Science Heroes Association at Fuar Izmir.

Conducted in four classes

The event will be held in four different classes in three separate age groups. The goals and areas of study set for each class differ. In the “Future Inventors” category, participants will develop robotic solutions to help people live in harmony with nature and will share their solutions live with the jury at the event. In the “Future Engineers” category, teams will use autonomous vehicles on a game field. Teams will try to ensure that the autonomous vehicles they build and code using the materials and software of their choice complete the given tasks according to the rules.

In the “RoboMission” category, participants will design robots that perform tasks in a game area. In the “RoboSport” category, teams will design robots that can compete against other teams’ robots in a tennis match. Each team will have two robots on the field in a match, and the robots will play the game autonomously.

For more information about the WRO 2024 Turkey International Final, which will significantly contribute to the scientific and cultural promotion of both the city and Turkey and will be a strong source of inspiration for future generations, you can visit www.wro2024.org/.