The fourth edition of the national robotics competition, held alongside the third AI ideathon, in line with the country’s ambition to nurture innovators, took place on Saturday, February 21. The competitions brought together students from across the country to design robots, develop artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, and tackle real-world challenges. From robotics missions inspired by archaeology to AI-powered renewable energy solutions, the event presented how students are moving beyond theory to practical problem-solving. What ideas stood out? AquaFlow: Connecting communities to water information One of the winning projects at the AI Ideathon was AquaFlow, developed by students from Rwanda Coding Academy. The project won first place in the AI Ideathon category. Cynthia Marie Nishimwe, a Senior Six student specialising in Software Programming and Embedded Systems, described the win as both a privilege and a responsibility. “Our project connects water suppliers like WASAC with their clients,” she explained. “There are times when water is unavailable, and people are not aware. When that happens, activities in households and industries come to a halt.” AquaFlow is designed as a digital platform that notifies users about water supply interruptions, enabling them to prepare in advance. Beyond notifications, the system integrates AI and embedded systems to monitor water installations in homes. In cases of pipe faults or leakages, the system alerts users early, helping prevent structural damage. DeepTrace: Protecting archaeological heritage In the robotics category, Hope Haven Christian Secondary School emerged as the overall winner in the FLL Championship. Among their innovations was DeepTrace, a project aimed at improving archaeological exploration. Cadet Shema, a Senior Five student studying Mathematics, Physics, and Geography, explained that the project combines a drone and a robotic probe. The drone scans sites to detect potential artefacts underground, while the robot verifies and retrieves them carefully to prevent damage. “Our goal is to promote accuracy in exploration while protecting artefacts,” she said. Winners across categories In the FLL championship, Hope Haven Christian Secondary School secured first place, followed by Maranyundo Girls School in second position, while ES Stella Matutina claimed third place. In the AI Ideathon, AquaFlow from Rwanda Coding Academy emerged winner, followed by Solsense from College de Gisenyi Inyemeramihigo in second place, and Ecoloop from Rwanda Coding Academy in third. More than a competition “Now I can make a robot do what I want it to do,” one participant said. “Teamwork has shown me that collaboration is key to innovation. This experience has inspired me to pursue biomedical engineering.” According to participants, the FLL programme consists of three key components: the robot game, the innovation project, and core values. In the robot game, teams complete missions that simulate real-world challenges. This year’s theme, Unearthed, required students to explore issues affecting the archaeological sector. The innovation project challenged them to create digital solutions aligned with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 ambition of building a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. The AI Ideathon, introduced as a complementary programme, focuses specifically on AI-driven solutions. Under this year’s theme, Eco-Innovators, students explored renewable energy solutions using artificial intelligence. Government commitment to STEM Nelson Mbarushimana, Director General of the Rwanda Basic Education Board, described the competitions as part of a broader national effort to instill critical thinking, creativity, and technological competence among young people. “These programmes represent more than competitions,” he said. “They are building a generation that can innovate confidently and use technology responsibly.” Claudette Irere, Minister of State for Education, said the competitions have become vital milestones in the education calendar since 2023. “By designing, building, coding, testing, and presenting real solutions, students strengthen technical skills and ignite their passion for STEM,” she noted, thanking partners including International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the ICT Chamber, STEM Inspires, and the Global Learning Council for supporting the initiative. Meanwhile, Yves Iradukunda, State Minister at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, encouraged students to combine creativity with ethical responsibility. “When you build a robot or code AI, it’s not just about the technology,” he said. “It’s about resilience, critical thinking, and using innovation responsibly.” He linked the competitions to Rwanda’s One Million Coders programme, which aims to cultivate problem-solvers rather than simply coders.
