Our Work
Welcome to the heart of innovation at RoSophia! On this page, we invite you to delve into the captivating world of robotics and technology where creativity knows no bounds. Here, you'll discover a tapestry of initiatives that showcase our dedication to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the realms of STEM education and robotics. Each project is an accomplished promise to our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on our community and beyond.
Future at High Speed Conference
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The FUTURE AT HIGH SPEED conference was an event organized to show FTC robotics enthusiasts how they can continue their technical path in motorsport and to discover university engineering projects. We wanted to give a clear insight into how skills developed in high school can be applied in international Formula Student competitions, where students design and build racing single-seaters. The event took the form of interactive presentation sessions followed by questions and curiosities from the participants. The guests talked about how students can get to design and test a single-seater in a university team, developing complex systems similar to those used in top-level racing. For example, one of the speakers detailed how one can move from the FTC experience to motorsport, explaining the selection process and the technical requirements of Formula Student competition. Another guest gave a practical insight into how students can apply what they have learned in high school to be part of such ambitious projects. The event provided a clear perspective on the transition from FTC to complex engineering projects and motorsport. Through this conference, we were able to provide them with not only useful information, but also the inspiration to expand their horizons beyond robotics.
Quantum X Info(1) Scrimmage
On 1st of March 2025 we participated in a scrimmage organized by teams Quantum Robotics #14270 and InfO(1) Robotics #15993, where we had the opportunity to check the performance of our robot under real competition conditions. We competed with our new robot, but the results were not the most consistent. Although we encountered several problems with the autonomy, which did not work as expected, causing us to lose some important matches, we noticed that the robot showed promise. It was a real challenge to adapt quickly and try to fix these shortcomings on the spot. Although we did not manage to have a consistent run in the competition, each match was a valuable lesson. We realized that while our robot has potential, there is still a lot of room for improvement, especially in reliability and autonomy. Despite this, we also had moments of brilliance when the robot worked perfectly and we managed to win a few matches. Even if the results were not perfect and we faced many technical difficulties, this event was an important step in our preparation.
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FIRST Lego League Explore Regional Galati
At the FLL Explore Regionals, on 15th of February 2025, in addition to our role as mentors, we also had the opportunity to volunteer and help organize the event behind the scenes. We were involved in setting up the venue to ensure that everything was in order and well prepared for the teams and participants. In doing so, we managed the flow of participants, set up the competition spaces and made the final adjustments to create the most conducive environment for the event. In parallel, we had our own stand at the entrance, where we exhibited our team's robot and had the opportunity to interact with participants and visitors, giving them details about our projects and the process of building the robot. It was an important moment both to showcase the hard work of our teams and to inform and inspire other teams, students or parents about what it means to participate in an FLL competition and what a robotics team can mean in developing technical and collaborative skills. The event was a burst of energy and enthusiasm, with FLL teams coming from different corners of the region to showcase their work. As mentors, we were actively involved in managing the judging spaces and ensuring that each team had everything they needed to make their presentation as successful as possible.
RoSophia Global Exchange
During this season, we organized a series of online meetings with 26 teams from all over the world. These discussion sessions were an excellent opportunity to share ideas and understand the diversity of teams' perspectives in tackling the new theme. We observed how different socio-economic factors influence strategies and how teams structure their approaches during the competition. These meetings have also resulted in linkages with teams across the globe. Each meeting was a lesson in adaptability and creativity, and how international collaboration can lead to extraordinary achievements even in the face of significant obstacles. The continuous exchange of solutions and experiences enriched our perspective. Through these interactions, we reaffirmed our commitment to FIRST values, promoting collaborative learning, and mutual respect.
League Meet of Iasi
On 11th of January, 2025, the CyLiis, Peppers, and RoSophia teams organized the last league meet in the Moldovan region before regionals, with 19 teams participating. This successful event was the result of three months of meticulous planning, where every task went through multiple reviews to ensure a smooth execution. The efforts of the referees, technical staff, volunteers, and the excellent cooperation among all involved helped reduce the time between matches to just 8 minutes, allowing us to finish over an hour ahead of schedule. We provided an environment where teams could perform at their best with impartial refereeing. Our team finished 10th out of 19 teams, securing 3 wins and 3 losses. While not perfect, we are satisfied with the outcome, given the challenges faced. We also gained valuable insights into the robot's capabilities and improvements. More importantly, we strengthened connections with regional teams, especially CyLiis and Peppers, planning future training and events. Working together to organize the largest meet in the country built strong bonds of friendship, fostering mutual support and peer-to-peer learning through shared knowledge.
Santa’s Meet
On 21st December 2024 I attended the meet in Braila organized by ByteForce#21070, Helix#17860 and HEX#19143. This was the third meet I attended. Although we started the day with much excitement and high hopes, the competition turned out to be full of unexpected challenges. From the very first matches, we encountered technical difficulties that affected the robot's performance. As the competition progressed, we tried to fix the malfunctions on the spot, but the short time between matches limited our intervention possibilities. However, every match we lost was an important lesson. We learned to remain calm under pressure and to work effectively as a team to deal with problems that arose. Even if the final result was not what we expected, the meet in Braila motivated us to go back to the lab and work harder on the robot. We left there with a clear list of adjustments and the determination to come back stronger for the next competition. After all, the competition was not just about winning or losing matches, but about our progress as a team and the desire to keep growing and learning.
Braila Tech Challenge
On 15th of December, 2024, we took part in our second League Meet, organized in Braila by Velocity #21087 team. This meet was the perfect opportunity to test in a competitive environment the latest additions and improvements of our robot. During this meet our team competed against 14 of the best teams from Moldova. At the end of it we placed 2nd winning 4 out of 6 matches and moving up in the overall ranking of our regional to the first position. We can say that this is a good result, not a great one, but one we can be satisfied with and one that shows that we were on the right track in terms of robot capabilities and our strategy. In addition to the actual matches we took the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas and strategies with the other participants. The unique experience of this meet came, like any such event, with good and bad. It exposed our robot's hidden flaws and problems, putting us in the position of having to make last-minute repairs, but it also gave us the chance to see our friends and fellow competitors.
Winter Dive Meet
The first meet, in which we both took part as participants, was the one in Iași, on 7th of December, 2024. Before the matches started, we participated in brainstorming sessions with other teams. Together we looked at strategies for the autonomy and manual control period, comparing different approaches for optimizing the score. This collaboration was extremely valuable as we discovered ingenious solutions that we had not previously considered. All the teams had a robot variant that they had been working on for a while, which was noticeable by the way the robots behaved on the field. But that didn't prevent imperfections and mechanical or design problems from turning into malfunctions and impediments. This, unfortunately, was the case here. Being the first match with the new robot, and therefore the new double-extendo, things did not work exactly as expected. Despite the fact that the score was not the best, the experience and the lessons learned in this meet lead us to say that the result was positive overall. Problem identification and testing in a real environment of the robot with which we are going to participate in the regional and national rounds.
Inspire Around the Globe Conference
At this conference, we brought together teams from around the world to discuss robotics from different perspectives. We wanted an interactive event, where experiences and technical solutions are analyzed directly by those who have applied them in competitions. Preparation began weeks in advance to bring together top teams from across the globe. To accommodate time zones, we organized four separate sessions tailored for teams from the US, Europe, and beyond. Each session focused on topics chosen by the teams, such as game strategy, mechanical design, programming, and team management. The event, held on Zoom, featured team presentations, including detailed talks with live demonstrations or videos. For example, a US team shared their autonomous strategy, while a European team explained a pixel collection system. After each presentation, teams engaged in discussions to ask questions, compare experiences, and dive deeper into the topics. The final portion of each session allowed the audience to ask questions, seeking advice on mechanical systems and coding. The conference fostered collaboration and idea exchange, with some teams eager to try new methods and form future partnerships. This event highlighted the power of global connections in innovation.
Romanian Science Festival
On 5th of October 2024, we had the opportunity to attend the Romanian Science Festival Iasi, one of the largest and most important events dedicated to the promotion of science and technology in the region. The festival brought together enthusiasts of all ages, giving them the opportunity to explore and better understand the STEAM fields through a variety of presentations, demonstrations and interactive activities. The energy and excitement was felt from the early hours of the morning. The festival attracted over 5000 children, parents and teachers, all eager to discover the fascinating world of science and technology. From the very opening of the event, our stand became a magnet for visitors. Together with other FTC teams, we had the opportunity to showcase not only our robot, but also to explain what it means to be part of a robotics team, from the first design sketches to international competitions. Through hands-on demonstrations and direct interaction with the robot, we were able to spark their interest in robotics and show them how accessible and exciting this world can be.
Researchers Night
Researchers Night, held on 27th of September 2024, was a celebration of science, technology and innovation that brought together thousands of children and adults eager to explore the wonders of the world around us. Our club was honored to be invited to participate and we made the most of the opportunity, not only to showcase our robot, but also to inspire and engage with the audience in attendance. The impact of Researchers' Night extended beyond the 3500 participants and their immediate enthusiasm; it served as a catalyst to spark interest and curiosity in the minds of the next generation of innovators. Beyond the impressive robot demonstration, our club members actively engaged in discussions with the audience, answering questions and sharing personal stories about our journey into the world of robotics. The conversations we had, the questions we answered, and the connections we made reinforced the importance of community outreach in promoting STEAM education. Researchers' Night gave us a platform to bridge the gap between technology and society, promoting a sense of inclusivity and accessibility to the wonders of robotics.
Gala of Excellence in Education
Following our performance and social impact in 2023-2024, it was truly amazing to be invited to the "Gala of Excellence in Education", an event organized by the City Hall of Galați together with Gloria Education Foundation on 4th of July 2024. During this gala we had our own stand where everyone who wanted to come and have a little contact with our world. Thus, we had more than 2500 people at our stand who were able to experience how our robots are driven, the processes, techniques and principles by which they were created. We were also able to draw attention to the FIRST programs, thus guiding as many young people as possible towards such clubs of FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Lego League competitions. For us, the highlight of the evening was our award for "outstanding results at the FTC Robotics World Championship". This recognition was the result of a year in which we achieved a huge achievement in the competition as a club in our second year of participation. Receiving this award was a moment of immense pride for our club members. The Gala was more than just an event; it was a celebration of the collective efforts of individuals and organizations striving to achieve excellence in education and community impact.
League Meet Iasi
On February 3rd, the Moldova region witnessed the culmination of its robotics league as teams Cyliis, Peppers, and RoSophia came together to host an extraordinary meet, surpassing expectations with 32 participating teams. While logistical challenges such as seating shortages and power issues surfaced, swift actions from the organizers and the understanding from participants ensured the event's smooth progression. Despite initial sponsor-related setbacks and unforeseen technical malfunctions, including a burnt-out resistor on the camera's motherboard, the meet's success remained undeterred. This event proved to be a learning experience for both participants and organizers alike. As participants, we gleaned insights into the importance of regular inspections and the necessity of carrying spare parts for essential components like the control hub and camera. Meanwhile, as organizers, we refined our communication strategies, honed task delegation skills, and learned to manage unexpected surges in registrations. Collaborating to organize the largest meet in the country strengthened friendships and fostered peer learning opportunities among teams like CyLiis, Peppers, and RoSophia. This camaraderie not only enriches the robotics landscape but also sets the stage for future cooperation and knowledge exchange, ensuring the enduring growth and success of the regional robotics community.
Accessible Funding for All
Our club took the initiative to arrange and lead the online conference "Accessible Funding for All" on January 19th, uniting 39 First Tech Challenge teams. The primary goal of this event was to empower teams by offering concrete pathways to secure grant funds for their STEAM initiatives. Live demonstrations and interactive discussions allowed teams to delve into the practical aspects of crafting compelling grant proposals and writing projects across different channels. Representatives of successful initiatives shared real-world perspectives, enriching the experience. Examples of funding opportunities discussed included grant funding through various channels such as FLAG and GAL financing axes, as well as ERASMUS+ projects. The conference facilitated a tangible shift in teams' funding approach, fostering greater social involvement and promoting robotics within communities. Following the event, our club proudly advanced financial empowerment within the First Tech Challenge community, anticipating tangible results and greater awareness of STEAM initiatives.
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RoboFest Dual Edition Braila
The Robofest Dual Edition, hosted on 14th of January, in Braila alongside our partners at Helix, emerged as a resounding success, fortified by the overwhelmingly positive response from participants. Witnessing the genuine enthusiasm and engagement of attendees, especially the children, underscored the profound impact such events can have. From eager exploration to animated discussions, every interaction reflected a deep-seated curiosity and a hunger for knowledge. Through meticulously curated workstations and a diverse array of Lego kits, students from elementary to high school experienced firsthand the thrill of hands-on learning in mechanics and block programming. This immersive experience not only ignited a passion for STEAM education but also fostered essential skills like collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. As families, educators, and technology enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the participants' achievements, it became evident that events like Robofest Dual Edition play a pivotal role in strengthening community bonds and inspiring future generations. In essence, the event left an indelible mark, enriching educational experiences and nurturing a brighter tomorrow for all involved.
Dual Meet Braila
The first meet, held in Braila on January 13th, saw our club taking on dual roles as both organizers and participants, bringing together 16 teams from our region. Alongside the Helix team, we meticulously organized resources and human capital to ensure the smooth execution of the event. Our club provided essential equipment, including complete sets of tiles, walls, game elements, and pixels. Volunteers from our club and other mentored teams fulfilled various roles such as queuers, field resetters, and referees.
Despite thorough planning, our team encountered challenges during the meet, particularly with our newly implemented swerve chassis. However, these setbacks provided invaluable learning opportunities. As organizers, we gleaned insights into effective event management, including the importance of clear communication and logistical preparedness. As participants, we discovered crucial adjustments needed for our robot's functionality and communication strategies. Despite the hurdles faced, the meet served as a vital testing ground for our team's readiness for upcoming regional and national competitions. The experience, although challenging, offered valuable insights and learnings that will undoubtedly inform our future endeavors in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Inspire Around The Globe International Conference
In this conference 12 teams gather up to talk about special topics of their choice in 4 different zoom conferences in order to share their knowledge and inspire the FIRST Tech Challenge community. In order to connect and inspire nearly every continent on the globe we’ve gathered teams from the West, Center and East of the United States and also from South Africa, The Middle East and Europe in order to share as much knowledge as possible with everyone from the FTC community.
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Together we are TEAMS 21455 RoSophia, 14259 TURBO V8, 6165 MSET CUTTLEFISH, 18225 High Definition, 21229 Quality Control, 19746 BrainSTEM, 14525 Terrabats, 16458 TechnoWizards, 11260 UP-A-CREEK, 7 Tactical Sheep, 15534 VERTEX, 18438 Wolfpack Machina, 23268 Ultraviolet, 15637 FATA MORGANA, 22903 VEGAMIND, 18763 TEXPAND.
RoboFest Galati
Following a partnership with the American University "Lawrance Institute of Thechnology", the robotics club "Sophia Science" managed to obtain the license to organize in Romania the event "ROBOFEST". The event aimed to stimulate creativity, innovation and teamwork among children in the community through robotics. We provided participating teams with Lego "We Do" kits, offering an attractive platform for both junior and senior categories. The preparation phase involved obtaining the necessary license from the Lawrance Institute of Thechnology, and preparing We Do Lego kits for all participating teams. Club members worked diligently to ensure that the logistics of the event were well planned and that each team had the resources they needed. The day of the event was a busy one. Before the participants arrived our team set up all the tables with kits, laptops/tablets, plugs, etc. Club members then joined the participating teams to provide
ERASMUS DAYS
On the dates of October 10th, 12th, and 17th, we conducted the first activities in the series dedicated to #ERASMUSDAYS as part of the ECO DIGITAL project by the Galati County Center of Excellence, a project funded through the ERASMUS+ initiative. We all know that change begins with us, and one of the factors that endanger our lives every day is water pollution. Therefore, our first activity involved a workshop where children had to build miniature robots that clean water from waste, promoting their creativity. Our second activity took place in a workshop where children built Lego robots designed to clean water from waste, similar to the first activity. In the third activity, children built robots that automatically sorted waste by category, in a process of selective and efficient recycling. The goal was to raise awareness among young people about the necessity of protecting and preserving the environment, influenced by technological development and the waste generated in this process.
FIRST Talk
On October 14th, the FIRST TALK conference, organized by us, the RoSophia team, took place. The conference focused on the implementation of STEAM education programs in educational institutions. Dozens of teachers representing schools and high schools in Galați attended this conference. On this occasion, we presented the FIRST programs for primary, middle, and high school levels. Teachers had the opportunity to experience this year's topics at stands where game boards and kits for the three categories were displayed. Additionally, invited representatives from various funding programs discussed the opportunities they provide for equipping schools with educational robotics kits. We thank everyone for their participation and questions! We would also like to express our gratitude to the Faculty of Engineering, whose support made this event possible. Last but not least, we thank all the volunteers, speakers, and team members without whom we wouldn't have succeeded!
Researcher's Night
On September 29th, we were part of the group of exhibiting researchers at the Researchers' Night ReCoNnect Galați, which took place at the Faculty of Engineering in Galați. We were delighted to share with hundreds of curious children and parents about ourselves and our work, about the FIRST Tech Challenge, and what the FIRST program represents. We enjoyed teaching the little ones how to play with the robots we built. Last but not least, we would like to congratulate the Faculty of Engineering in Galați and the event volunteers for the exceptional organization. We thank the representatives of the Faculty of Engineering for the partnership they engaged us in for the successful execution of this event, which is so important for the Galați community and the field of science!
Stay tuned as we gear up to take on new challenges, dream bigger, and inspire the next generation of STEM enthusiasts. From groundbreaking robotics competitions to educational outreach programs that empower students and teachers alike, we're setting our sights on the stars.
Let's dream, create, and innovate together with RoSophia!
Get ready to be a part of something amazing! RoSophia's future projects are set to ignite your passion for robotics, technology, and education.
Stay tuned for updates, and let's shape the future together.