IDLab - AIRO is a proud partner in the social robot competition for secondary schools organized by Dwengo. In this competition students ages 12 to 16 take on the challenge to solve a societally relevant problem using a social robot. The competition is supported by the excellence fund of the Flemish ministry of education.

AIRO Helps Students Improve the World

In a world that is becoming increasingly digital, it’s crucial that young people not only understand technology but also learn how to use it to create a better future. The era is over when scientists worked in isolation in dusty laboratories or IT specialists spent all day in front of a screen. We must be honest with our youth: science and technology are not goals in themselves, but they offer opportunities to improve the world. Unfortunately, education often remains stuck in theoretical lessons, far removed from everyday reality. It’s time to inspire students with societal challenges and let them experience how their problem-solving skills can make a real difference. That’s what we at Dwengo strive for every day.

Join the ‘Social Robot’ Competition!

In the 2024-2025 school year, we are organizing the ‘Social Robot’ competition, immersing young people in the world of robotics and programming. In teams of up to four, students will take on the challenge of designing, building, and programming a robot. Not just any robot—a social robot that tackles a societal problem. Technology in the service of humanity. Schools that wish to participate in the competition can even borrow robot kits for free.

What makes this competition special? The combination of technical challenges and societal relevance. Students are encouraged to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems that people truly care about. By submitting a video presenting their project, students have the chance to advance to the finals. During an exciting final event, the best teams will compete for honor and fantastic prizes. A jury will evaluate the robots based on technical skills, creativity, and societal impact. The top three robots will be awarded.

But forget the prizes for a moment—the real goal is to let young people experience how they can bring about positive change with science and technology.

Smart Youth, Resilient Society

Participating in the ‘Social Robot’ competition is about more than just building a robot. It gives young people a deeper understanding of technology and their role in society. They discover that their knowledge and creativity can truly make a difference. This can inspire them to pursue a science or technology education, something the job market is in great need of.

Schools and teachers benefit as well. The competition demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration and problem-solving can be integrated into education. Together, we are taking a step towards a future-oriented, resilient society. By participating in this competition, teachers also work towards achieving educational objectives. ‘Social Robot’ from Dwengo is an engaging lesson package with a competitive element as a bonus.

Everyone Can Participate!

We believe it’s important that as many schools as possible can participate, regardless of their budget or technical expertise. By providing free teaching materials and robot kits, we lower the barrier and encourage diversity. This way, all students—regardless of background or educational level—get the chance to discover and develop their talents.

Working Together for the Future of Technology Education

At Dwengo, we believe that technology education can be more than just teaching technical skills. We want to inspire young people, show them how they can make a difference in society, and prepare them for a future in which technology plays a major role. With a focus on societal relevance, collaboration, and accessibility, we ensure that the next generation is ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. Not by teaching them to work with existing tools, but by giving them a deep understanding of the underlying principles of various technologies. The result? Happy, resilient, and dynamic young people.

The Dwengo Philosophy: Understand Technology, Improve the World

Technology is changing how we live, work, and communicate. But for many young people, it remains a challenge to see how they can make a difference with scientific and technical knowledge. Dwengo is committed to changing this. We translate important innovations in computer science into the classroom. For example, we offer free online teaching materials on artificial intelligence (AI) and physical computing, specifically aimed at Flemish compulsory education. Our teaching materials are not only accessible and free but also linked to concrete societal challenges.

We emphasize understanding the underlying principles of technologies rather than simply using them. This makes young people more resilient and gives them greater insight into the world of tomorrow.

At Dwengo, we know that quality teaching materials alone are not enough. Teachers often face barriers to using new materials. That’s why we not only support them with materials but also offer professional development opportunities, both online and in person. This helps teachers confidently and knowledgeably get started.

In short, what are you waiting for? Register your students for the ‘Social Robot’ competition! And take a look at the wide range of Dwengo offerings and join us in shaping the technology education of the future!