
Four Teams Represent Morocco at US Robotics Championship
After standing out in national competitions, four Moroccan teams are proudly representing the country at the FIRST Championship in the United States city of Houston from April 15 to 19.
Organized by FIRSt brings together young innovators from around the world to celebrate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), this global event aims to prepare the next generation for the future.
The Moroccan teams – Novatard, Robot 11 Janvier, 3andiBlasti, and Mindcraft Senior – earned their spots through two national qualifying events. Namely, the FIRST Lego League Challenge that was held on February 1 at the UM6P campus in Benguerir, and the FIRST Tech Challenge that took place on February 15 at Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers (ENSAM) in Rabat.
These teams are accompanied by four dedicated volunteers and supported by LOOP For Science & Technology, the organization responsible for coordinating FIRST events in Morocco.
Founded in 2018, LOOP is a non-profit, non-political, and non-religious association committed to promoting STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics – especially among children.
Through workshops, conferences, training sessions, and international collaborations, LOOP works to strengthen STEAM education and inspire young minds across the country.
Robotics have experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by advancements in education and international collaborations. In 2024, Moroccan team 'NexTech' won the World Robot Olympiad in Turkiye.
NexTech presented a project called 'Terra Genius,' a robot designed to support sustainable farming by planting seeds, managing irrigation and monitoring crops. Tags: 'Morocco in processRobotics competitionUS news
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