A historic achievement at the World Robot Olympiad 2025
A team of Costa Rican students won first place worldwide in the “Future Innovators (Senior)” category at the World Robot Olympiad 2025, one of the most prestigious international educational robotics competitions. The final took place from November 26 to 28, 2025 in Singapore, where Costa Rica competed against delegations from more than 105 countries and stood out for its creativity and technological innovation.
The winning team, known as Sprout, was made up of Alanna Music, Emma Music, and Joel Chen. Their robotic project earned not only the global first prize, but also the prestigious Innovation Award, a distinction granted to the solution with the highest level of creativity, innovation, and technological contribution, sponsored by Aramco, a main partner of the WRO.
Outstanding national results
In addition to Sprout, other Costa Rican teams achieved remarkable results:
• The team Pollibots reached 8th place worldwide in the Elementary category.
• The team R2D2 ranked 13th in the Robo Mission Junior category.
• The teams Gear Heads and Mezclados were among the top 20 teams worldwide in the Robo Mission Senior category.
These achievements highlight the strong technical preparation, creativity, and critical thinking of Costa Rican youth in STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).
Beyond the competition: international opportunities
Following their world victory, members of the Sprout team continued representing Costa Rica internationally. In April 2026, the students and their coach traveled to Seoul, South Korea, to participate in a special innovation and artificial intelligence program designed for WRO Innovation Award winners, where they engaged with experts, researchers, and leaders in the global technology industry.
This experience provided a unique opportunity to expand knowledge, build international networks, and position Costa Rica as a relevant player in advanced technological regions.
A boost for education and technological development
This outstanding performance is not only a source of national pride, but also demonstrates the importance of robotics and technology education as tools for developing 21st-century skills. School programs, educational initiatives, and institutional support are opening doors for students to excel on the global stage, fostering creativity, innovation, and critical thinking from an early age.
Sources consulted
• CRHoy — “Orgullo tico: Colegiales obtienen primer lugar en mundial de robótica…”
• El Observador CR — “Orgullo nacional: jóvenes costarricenses ganan el Mundial de Robótica en Singapur”
• Delfino.cr — “Campeones mundiales representan a Costa Rica en programa internacional de IA en Corea del Sur”
• WRO Association — “Teams from Costa Rica, Malaysia and Australia receive the Aramco Innovation Award”
