The competition brought together a dynamic community of young innovators, united by a shared passion for robotics, engineering, and creative problem-solving.
St. Stephen’s School continues to hold a remarkable distinction within the history of RoboMed. Since the inaugural competition in April 2017 in Rabat, Morocco, St. Stephen’s has been the only school to participate in all seven editions—and remains the only school to have won the tournament twice, in 2019 and 2025. This consistency reflects not only technical excellence, but a sustained commitment to innovation, collaboration, and perseverance
Preparation for RoboMed begins months in advance. Students immerse themselves in robotics, design, and coding, working through complex challenges that require persistence and adaptability. Yet it is at the competition itself where some of the most meaningful learning takes place. Faced with real-time obstacles, students quickly identify areas for improvement, iterate on their designs, and refine their strategies on the spot. It is problem-based learning at its most authentic—where collaboration, negotiation, and self-advocacy are just as important as technical skill.
Teams competed across a range of events, including speed racing, line following, obstacle navigation, sugo (a sumo-style robotics challenge), and—new this year—an aquatic challenge.
St. Stephen’s teams delivered strong performances in a highly competitive field. Romebots 10 placed 4th overall out of 22 teams, represented by Milo, Aris, Zeno, Francesco, Adriano, James, Diego, and Oscar. Romebots 9 followed closely, earning 6th place, with team members Rasmus, Giulio, Georgy, Daniele, Daniel, Christian, and Grace.
It was also a pleasure to reconnect with the Rabat American School, strengthening a collaboration that began earlier this year.
Five current St. Stephen’s juniors had spent an extended period in Rabat in the fall, supporting the school in rebuilding its robotics program—an experience that reflects the spirit of service and global engagement at the heart of the St. Stephen’s community.
Robotics at St. Stephen’s: Learning Beyond the Classroom
The success of St. Stephen’s at RoboMed is rooted in a vibrant, student-centered robotics program led by Elizabeth Di Cataldo, Librarian and Director of Educational Technology, through the school’s innovative LibTech Hub. More than just a space, the Hub is a dynamic environment where students experiment, design, and build—bringing ideas to life through hands-on learning.
Here, robotics is not treated as a standalone activity, but as an interdisciplinary practice that blends engineering, coding, design thinking, and creativity. Students are encouraged to take risks, test solutions, and learn from failure—developing not only technical skills, but also confidence and independence. Whether they are programming autonomous robots, designing for aquatic challenges, or refining mechanisms for competition, students engage in a process that mirrors real-world innovation.
The program emphasizes collaboration and mentorship, with experienced students often guiding younger peers, fostering a culture of shared learning and leadership. This continuity is part of what allows St. Stephen’s to remain consistently competitive at RoboMed while also ensuring that knowledge and enthusiasm are passed on year after year.
Looking ahead, the team is already preparing for next year’s competition, which will be hosted by the American School of Milan—continuing a tradition of excellence, curiosity, and creative problem-solving that defines robotics at St. Stephen’s School.
