Robotics that becomes education and shapes new talents under Mount Etna

Learning science and technology from a young age. But not just through study: the lessons are put into practice by creating robots. An activity that develops teamwork, time management, and technical adaptation under pressure. But also problem solving, iterative debugging, and technical communication. This is the essence of the RoboCup Junior Academy, a section of the RoboCup, an organization that promotes robotics and artificial intelligence internationally through competitions among autonomous robots, meaning those not operated by a human. Just a few days ago, the regional competitions took place to qualify for the national finals of the international robotics competition. Various teams from different first and second-level schools in Sicily competed for a spot in the national competitions scheduled from April 15 to 18. The selections were held in a particularly suitable setting: the premises of the microelectronics giant STMicroelectronics in the “Etna Valley” of Catania.

The competitions saw teams competing with their robots in various disciplines using autonomous robots built and programmed by the students. For the Rescue Maze, the winner was the IT Archimede of Catania, while for Rescue Line entry, the category for students under 14, the winner was the IIS G. Arangio Ruiz of Augusta (SR). For the Rescue Line, the winner was the IIS "Fermi-Guttuso" of Giarre (CT). The victory in the OnStage Advanced category was once again claimed by the team from IT Archimede of Catania. For OnStage First steps (elementary school), the victory went to the comprehensive institute "VIII Elio Vittorini" of Syracuse.

Among the judges of the events was also a very young engineer from STMicroelectronics, Luca Nicolosi. "I am 25 years old, I am an Electronic Engineer, and for a few months here at ST, I have been working on the characterization of MEMS direction sensors," Nicolosi explains, who will also graduate soon with a master's degree in Catania. But it is no coincidence that he is among the judges of the event while it takes place at ST: "When I was 18 years old and a student at the Guglielmo Marconi Institute of Catania, I won the competition in the Rescue Maze category with my team. It involves having the robot autonomously navigate a course that includes 'rescues' to be performed. A challenge that we became passionate about for years at school by participating in various events. And it was an experience that greatly influenced my decision to become an engineer." Nicolosi remembers that experience as a continuous drive to find a solution, with intense afternoons spent after school experimenting, amidst failures and joys in overcoming problems. "It is a type of experience that I have found in part here at work at ST: after all, one could say that working in a company that deals with technology and innovation is a bit like participating daily in a robotics competition."

ST Engineer Luca Nicolosi judging the competition

The honor of organizing the national finals in 2026 will go to the Archimede of Catania. "Schools can provide important opportunities for young people, and I believe these should be seized. Robotics competitions, as my journey demonstrates, are certainly a great incentive to pursue a career in STEM disciplines," concludes Nicolosi.

The RoboCup Junior Academy, as mentioned, is the section of the international RoboCup competition dedicated to secondary school students. The Rescue categories evaluate the ability of autonomous robots to navigate standardized paths with obstacles and simulated victims, distinguishing between the linear path of the Rescue Line and the three-dimensional maze of the Rescue Maze. The OnStage category evaluates choreographic robotic performances: automata that become "performing artists", in an activity that combines programming, creativity, and stage interaction. Each category requires distinct skills in hardware design, algorithms, and sensory interfacing.

The next appointment is the national phase scheduled from April 15 to 18 at Siciliafiera in Misterbianco (in the province of Catania). The national competitions 2026 return to Sicily after several years of absence and will be organized by the same IT Archimede of Catania, which has already performed well in the selections, taking on the dual role of hosting institution and participating school with its qualified teams. The chosen venue is a large exhibition center that will provide exhibition spaces and logistical infrastructures suitable for the scale of a national competition, involving dozens of institutions from all over Italy.