COSMOTE and WRO Hellas: Developing the digital future of children with Educational Robotics

COSMOTE aims to developchildren's digital skillsin Greece througheducational robotics, as a strategic partner of the Educational Robotics, Science and Technology Non-Profit Organization WRO Hellas. The activities designed to establish and spread educational robotics include, among others, the Pan-Hellenic Educational Robotics Competitions for children, the participation of Greek teams in the World Robot Olympiad, campaigns for children, parents and teachers, etc.

Educational roboticsis based on the S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) educational method. Combining science, mathematics, engineering and technology in building a complete robotic construction-model, it strengthens the ability of children to acquirenew skillswhile it promotesteam workingandcreative thinking.

Mr. Ioannis Somalakidis, President of WRO Hellas, stated:"Educational Robotics is a modern tool at the service of education, tapping into many different cognitive fields. Through innovative and authentic activities, teachers increase students' engagement, while students advance their way of thinking and acting. Our goal is for all of Greek children to get involved with technology, as per the example of other technologically and economically advanced countries".

Mr. Kostas Nebis, OTE Group Chief Commercial Officer Consumer Segment stated about COSMOTE's support on robotics: "Technology and innovation are part of COSMOTE's DNA. Through educational robotics, we equip children with the proper skills to navigate into the new digital world. At the same time, we encourage children, parents, and teachers to try a new way of thinking and to discover the new future prospects opened up by technology".

Pan-Hellenic Educational Robotics Competitions

WRO Hellas, supported by COSMOTE for the third year in the row, is organizing thePan-Hellenic Educational Robotics Competitions for children.Since 2008, competitions have been held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education. Students, teachers and professors participating from 13 Regions of Greece, are being asked to design and build a complete robotic construction-model, according to the theme of the competition. This year's robotics competitions are:

• the 3rdPan-Hellenic Educational Robotics Competition forPrimary Schoolsstudents (ages 8-12) on the theme of"Vehicles and Transportation of tomorrow".
• the 2ndPan-Hellenic Educational Robotics Competition forJunior High Schoolsstudents (ages 13-15) on the theme of"The course of Alexander the Great".
• the 1stPan-Hellenic Educational Robotics Competition forSeniorHighSchoolsstudents (ages 16-18) on the theme of"Green Energy & Entrepreneurship".

The competitions implemented over the past 3 years have received more than 3,500 entries, from Primary and Junior High Schools students. This year, Senior High School students are also able to participate in the educational robotics competition. Interested teams are invited to submit their participation enquiries atwww.wrohellas.gruntil28/02/2017.The competition's Media Sponsorship is provided by COSMOTE TV.

World Robot Olympiad

COSMOTE sponsors the expenses of the Greek delegation's teams that have been awarded in the respective Pan-Hellenic competition and will participate in the 13thWorld Robot Olympiad, in New Delhi on November 25th-27th.

Greece has been participating in the World Robot Olympiads since 2009, with Greek students achieving very high scores in the world ranking list. In 2015, the team of the 1stGeneral High School of Xanthi conquered the silver medal in the "football" category.

Supporting the spread and establishment of Educational Robotics in Greece in the context of itssustainable development project, COSMOTE invests once again in youth and, through technology and innovation, makes the world a better place for everyone.

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