Ionian Islands Regional Stem Education Competition a success
CORFU. Robotics as a gateway to the future.
The Ionian Islands STEM EDUCATION Regional Competition was held on Sunday, March 16, at the 3rd-4th Corfu Junior High School with great success and an impressive number of participants. The robotics competition attracted over 100 pupils from 22 teams, while more than 300 people in total visited the venue to watch the presentations and activities.
Robotics is not just a technological field but a tool that enhances critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving. It offers pupils a unique opportunity to combine theory with practice, developing skills in programming, engineering and automation. At the same time, it promotes collaboration and teamwork—essential elements for a successful path in the modern digital age.
During the competition, the presence of the Corfu Astronomical Society was significant, as they conducted a telescope demonstration and a presentation on the role of robots in space exploration. Participants had the opportunity to learn about robotic vehicle missions to other planets, such as Perseverance on Mars.
The event was supported by various scientific and educational institutions. An address was delivered by the local branch of the Hellenic Mathematical Society, and a message was read from the Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands Deputy Mayor of Culture, Mr. Vousolinos. Additionally, students from the Department of Informatics at the Ionian University and the Greek Wikipedia Community actively contributed to the organisation.
The competition was not just an opportunity for pupils to compete but an experience that inspired them to continue their engagement with science and technology. Robotics opens new horizons, shaping the next generation of engineers, programmers and scientists who will contribute to shaping the future.
The competition's scientific committee consisted of:
- Athanasia Kavvadia (mathematician, physicist, deputy principal of the 3rd Junior High)
- Vassiliki Katsika (computer scientist)
- Marios Magioladitis (mathematician, computer scientist)
- Theopisti Hatzifotiadou (special education mathematician).
The organising committee of the competition consisted of:
- Eleni Vousolinou (principal of the 4th Junior High)
- Christina Ilioudi (principal of Agios Ioannis Junior High)
- Sofia Barbalia (mathematician).
The teams from the Regional Competition that qualified for the next evaluation phase, which will take place on 23/03 at the National STEM Competition 2025 Final, are as follows:
Open Category – Primary School (Grades 3-6)
GEG / Corfu Robotiki
- Irini Katechi / Yiannis Politis / Yiannis Pappas
XAEX / Corfu Robotiki
- Haralambos Kontis / Angelos Marlas / Emmeleia Christoforaki / Harilaos Lefteriotis
ROBOT EXPERTS / Corfu Robotiki
- Giorgos Orfanos / Orestis Grammenos / Maximos Himarios
Open Category – Junior & High School
gym4robot2 / Corfu 4th Junior High School
- Stefanos Arvanitakis / Ioannis Vergopoulos / Gerasimos Palikyras / Georgios Skembris / Nikolaos Kasfikis / Angelos Bellos
gas / Corfu Robotiki
- Yiannis Savvanis / Andrew Mackey / Spyros Houdoulakis
robotfr7 / Corfu Robotiki
- Spyros Raris / Renos Spatoulas / Daphne Vassiliki
Regular Category – Beginners (Primary, Junior & High School)
APOLYTI ROBOTIKI / Apolyto Tutorial Centre
- Edward Gray / Konstantinos Hantziaras / Thomas Tsiatinas
Primary School Category – "Football 2×2"
Parallel Primary School Category – "BaSTEMBall"
APOLYTOI B.C.
- Margarita Karvouni / Stefanos Karvounis / Christos Zoupas
The BaSTEMBall team will compete in the Grand Final in Athens.
Special Awards
- Best Idea – Team from the 14th Primary School
- Best Theme Representation – Team from the 14th Primary School
- Best Automation – Team from Afra Primary School
- Best Eloquence – Team from the 4th Experimental Primary School of Corfu
- Best Construction – Team from Agios Ioannis Junior High
- Best Presentation – Team from Corfu Robotiki
- Best Programming – Team from Corfu Robotiki
- Most Innovative Idea – Team from Agios Ioannis Junior High
- Most Creative Track Design – Team from Corfu Robotiki
- Best Participation – Team from Corfu Robotiki
- Best Collaboration – Team from the 14th Primary School
ELENI KORONAKI
