Kid innovators aspire to improve national security with their robot inventions

MANILA, Philippines — In this world, it’s our children who need protection from danger and threats. But what if it’s also our children who can help create a safer society not just for themselves but for everyone?

Envisioning beyond their age, Andrei Federico, 10, Izellah Anezka Merdegia, 10, Jona Gabriella Navarez, 12, Dominic Leo Ramos, 11, and Robert Zachary Santos, 11, have collectively invented prototype robots that help address some serious security issues in the country.

Federico, Merdegia and Navarez of Colegio De San Juan De Letran created the “Naval Patrol Tactical Surveillance Robot,” which aims to protect Philippine waters. Ramos and Santos of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, on the other hand, made the “Justice Bot,” a robot that aims to help preserve public safety.

Dominic Leo Ramos and Robert Zachary Santos of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School made the “Justice Bot,” a robot to help preserve public safety. Philstar.com/EC Toledo

As a naval asset, the Naval Patrol Tactical Surveillance Robot features a state-of-the-art communications system, solar panel for source of energy, and ability to identify and report foreign ships entering Philippine territory. It aims to support the Philippine Navy in patrolling and serving Philippine waters.

Meant to be deployed to policemen, Justice Bot can recognize faces of criminals stored in its database and can detect contraband with X-ray. It also carries a stun gun, net and night vision, among others. Its inventors wish to protect the policemen who will use it.

For their futuristic innovations, the five Filipino students emerged as medalists at the Creative Category Junior in the 19th International Robotics Olympiad.They were part of the 2017 Philippine Robotics Team who represented the country in the competition held last December in Qinhuangdao, China.

A platform to nurture future scientists

Wyeth Nutrition partners with parents and other stakeholders as it brings to life its commitment to nurture kids’ potential for greatness. This is what inspired the organization to launch the “Search for the Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators”, a platform for kids to embrace the many wonders of science.

Thus on February 2, the global leader in nutrition recognized the 2017 Philippine Robotics Team at a special awards ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Ortigas, Mandaluyong City.

“Three years ago, we were presented with the opportunity to support the Philippine Robotics Team, through the Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators Special Award. This is a new Wyeth tradition that lives on to this day, as we uphold our advocacy of sparking scientific curiosity among our nation's brightest and most curious kids,” said Michelle Pador, head of Communications at Wyeth Philippines Inc.

“We are extremely proud of these young Einsteins who are embracing the many wonders of science, and using them to fuel their passion to create and innovate,” Pador added.

Composed of students from various schools in Metro Manila, the Philippine Robotics Team competed against teams from Thailand, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, China and the US. Forty-two young robot enthusiasts triumphed in categories such as Robot in Movie Junior, Emergency Rescue Extreme Challenge, and Creativity Category Junior.

The Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators Special Awardees

As the youngest members of the Philippine Robotics Team, Federico, Merdegia, Navarez, Ramos and Santos were given spotlight at the event. They were named as Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators Special Awardees, after which they proudly presented their inventions on stage.

The rest of the Philippine team, hailing from Ateneo De Manila Senior High School, Colegio De San Juan De Letran-Calamba, Laguna, De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, MGC New Life, Senator Renato Compañero Cayetano Memorial High School for Science and Technology, and Kapt. Eddie T. Reyes Integrated School, were given medals to recognize their hard work, achievements and potential for greatness.

Bjorn Isaac Escalona, a 2017 Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators Special Awardee, spoke on behalf of his Robotics teammates: “I am greatly honored to be here in front of all of you and as part of the Philippine Robotics Team. Our individualities and interests were merged into one, notwithstanding all of those we went through the rigid trainings, countless sacrifices, dry runs here and there, to come up with our best outputs. Our differences in thoughts and ideas were summed up as we presented what we were able to have in competitions and different other similar endeavors.”

“Our team may have achieved great heights in Robotics most especially in the International Robot Olympiad but it took us to "crawl in tunnels" of challenges to discover how far we can organize, synchronize and reach what we want to attain,” the young Escalona added, truly inspiring everyone at the venue.

Also present at the event were the ever supportive coaches, parents and stakeholders, as well as guest speakers Anthony Gabitan, President of the Philippine Robotics Team, and Dr. Ruby Cristobal, Chief of S&T Manpower Education Research and Promotions Division of Science Education Institute-Department of Science and Technology.

To further spark awe and wonder for science among kids, Wyeth Nutrition has opened the 2018 Search for the Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators. Children ages 6 to 14 — with passion for innovation and desire to make a difference in society — are invited to join the organization’s annual science program and competition.

Wyeth Nutrition, a global leader in nutrition, recognized the 2017 Philippine Robotics Team at a special awards ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Ortigas, Mandaluyong City. Philstar.com/EC Toledo

Dominic Leo Ramos, one of the five Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators Special Awardees, demonstrated how the "Justice Bot" can help preserve public safety. Philstar.com/EC Toledo

Bjorn Isaac Escalona, multi-awarded robot and math enthusiast and last year's Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators Special Awardee, delivered a message to inspire kid innovators in making a difference through science with the support of parents. Philstar.com/EC Toledo

Q&A: Parents shared their kids' journey to science and discovery with tips on how to support their budding interest in robotics. Philstar.com/EC Toledo

For more information, visit www.wyeth.com.ph/kidinnovators or email kidinnovator@wyethnutrition.com.