On October 31 and November 1, BH Shopping in Belo Horizonte will become a major stage for innovation, technology, and creativity with the SESI Robotics Festival, Minas Gerais Regional 2025/2026. And for the first time, Fablab (Fabrication Laboratory) Ramacrisna will be present at the competition, bringing a team of young people who have been training intensively over the last few months to represent the Ramacrisna Institute. Named Skybolt, the team is made up of eight teenagers between the ages of 12 and 14.
The new season of the festival, entitled FIRST AGE – Inspired by Archaeology, invites participants to explore archaeology as a source of technological discoveries and inspiration. The challenge is to propose creative solutions to real problems faced by professionals in the field, uniting the past and the future in a journey that stimulates scientific thinking and imagination.
According to Fablab Ramacrisna coordinator Guilherme Nascimento, participation in the competition represents an important milestone for the Institute. “This is our first year in a robotics festival, so everything has been a learning experience. The team dove headfirst into the season’s theme, researching archaeology and seeking to understand the real challenges of this profession. The process was very rich, both from a technical and educational point of view,” he comments.
To build the innovation project, the students made technical visits to the UFMG Archaeology Laboratory and the Peruaçu Archaeology Laboratory, where they were able to learn more about archaeological work and the obstacles faced in the field. These experiences were fundamental in defining the problem to be solved and directing the project.
At the same time, the students also dedicated themselves to assembling and programming the robot that will compete in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) competition, which combines science, technology, and innovation. During three months of preparation, they developed strategies for executing missions on the competition mat, focusing on efficiency, agility, and precision. “The students worked as a team, sharing responsibilities and analyzing every detail, from assembling claws to programming and fine-tuning the robot. It was an intense process, involving a lot of study and overcoming challenges,” says Guilherme. Expectations are high. “Regardless of the result, the biggest gain is learning. But, of course, we are confident and hopeful that we will achieve something for Ramacrisna.”
Anthony Dutra, 13, is one of the students who make up the Ramacrisna team. He talks excitedly about the construction process. “I thought it was really cool. I learned a lot of things I didn’t know, like how to program, communicate better, work in a team, and I made a lot of friends. The teachers treated us very well and welcomed us warmly to the team. My expectations now are to do well in the regional competition and, if all goes well, move on to the national competition with Skybolt.”
For the vice president of the Ramacrisna Institute, Solange Bottaro, participating in this initiative reinforces the Ramacrisna Institute’s commitment to innovation and the comprehensive education of its students. “Robotics is a powerful tool for developing technical and socio-emotional skills. We are very proud to see our young people representing the Institute at such an important event. It is the first step in a journey that promises great achievements,” she celebrates.
