Author: irene@ftcbenelux.eu

We are proud to announce that we have been awarded a three-year grant from the Impuls Open Leermateriaal (IOL) program!

In collaboration with Zwijsen College Veghel and Bedrijf in de Klas we will develop an open-access, practice-oriented robotics curriculum for secondary education. Our project focuses on strengthening digital literacy and computational thinking skills by providing students with a structured progression from basic robotics principles to the design of creative, real-world solutions.
The robotics learning pathway offers a crucial bridge between guided instruction and independent innovation, helping schools embed STEM education more deeply and engaging a broader group of students. Real-world societal challenges are at the heart of the curriculum design, encouraging students to see how technology can create real impact.
All materials will be made available as open educational resources, ensuring long-term accessibility and continuous improvement.
Throughout the project, we will be looking for schools to participate in pilot phases.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact us at steamup@ftcbenelux.eu.

We’re excited to get started soon — stay tuned for more updates!

The FTC Benelux Championship was an unforgettable celebration of innovation, teamwork, and technical excellence! Hosted at Avans University of Applied Sciences, the event brought together the top 24 teams from the Benelux region, who competed in an intense but friendly atmosphere for prestigious awards and international qualifications.

The morning was a whirlwind of activity, as teams prepared for the competition by undergoing robot inspections and presenting their hard work in judge interviews. The judges—composed of industry professionals and robotics experts—were thoroughly impressed by the teams’ creativity, engineering skills, and community impact. In the afternoon, the teams took center stage for action-packed robot matches, where their designs, programming, and strategies were put to the test. The atmosphere was electric, with every match drawing cheers from the enthusiastic crowd. The judges also visited teams in the pits, giving them one last opportunity to showcase their work before the final deliberations. After careful discussion, the judges selected the winners for the prestigious awards, recognizing the teams that truly embodied the spirit of FIRST®.

Throughout the day, the stands were packed with enthusiastic supporters, cheering on their teams with incredible energy. Curious visitors and families also joined in, captivated by the excitement of the matches and the innovative spirit on display.
Alongside the championship, 20 additional teams participated in the Scrimmage, gaining valuable experience and a shot at earning a spot at the European Premier Event. The Tech Zone was buzzing with excitement as visitors of all ages explored hands-on STEM activities and cutting-edge technological showcases.

As the day came to a close, the playoffs provided some of the most exciting moments of the event. The alliance of Flying Dutchman and Pink to the Future proved to be a dominant force, with great teamwork and solid performances throughout the playoffs. In the final match, they achieved a high score that secured their victory, bringing the event to an exhilarating conclusion.

Curious to see which teams took home awards and secured a spot at international tournaments?
Click here to discover all the details!

A huge thank you to all teams, volunteers, and sponsors who made this event possible. The energy, dedication, and passion displayed throughout the competition were truly inspiring.

The final two Qualifying Tournaments of the season delivered excitement, innovation, and international collaboration this January!

At the American School of The Hague, teams from Lithuania, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands gathered for an electrifying competition. The matches were intense, with an impressive high score of 303 points! Beyond the robot matches, teams wowed the judges with their innovative designs, and outreach efforts. A dynamic tech expo added an extra layer of engagement, allowing visitors to explore cutting-edge STEM innovations.

Meanwhile, at Pius X-College in Bladel, the season’s last qualifier saw teams from the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Norway, and Lithuania bring their unique energy to the field. The judges were impressed by the participants’ creativity and dedication, while the Lithuanian teams dominated the competition with their exceptional robotics skills.

These tournaments showcased not only the technical brilliance of the teams but also the spirit of international collaboration and innovation. With the qualifiers now complete, all eyes are on the next stage of the season – The Benelux Championship at Avans University of Applied Sciences in Breda.

Curious to see which teams are advancing to the Benelux Championship on February 15, 2025?
Click here to discover all the details!

🌍 International Fun in The Hague 🌍

Last weekend, the FTC Qualifying Tournament at the Maerlant-lyceum in The Hague brought together an incredible mix of talent, determination, and innovation. With teams from the Benelux, four from Germany, and even one making the journey from Kazakhstan, the competition was a true celebration of global collaboration and the FIRST® spirit.

Throughout the day, teams showcased their hard work, from innovative robot designs to inspiring presentations and dynamic pit talks. The energy was electric as robots played the matches on the field, proving once again the ingenuity and passion that define this community.

🌟 Special shoutout to Team 20090 Robotic Tech Frox and Team 3977 Stanislas Tech for achieving a phenomenal high score of 234 points—what an extraordinary feat!

As the dust settled, five outstanding teams secured their place in the Benelux Championship, each earning their spot through exceptional performances. Among the highlights were teams that demonstrated not just technical prowess but also strong team values, creative problem-solving, and a commitment to making an impact both on and off the field.

A big congratulations to all participants for their resilience, creativity, and sportsmanship.

Curious to see all the award winners and find out which teams are advancing to the Benelux Championship on February 15, 2025?
Click here to discover all the details!

Whoop Whoop! The first 5 teams have claimed their place at the FIRST® Tech Challenge Benelux Championship 

Last weekend marked the season’s very first Qualifying Tournament, hosted by @KSG De Breul. It was an absolute blast! Teams showcased the potential of their robots on the field, impressed judges with their presentations, and shared their stories during pit talks. Every team truly embodied the FIRST spirit and showed what their team stands for!

But of course, in the end, only five could secure their spots!  Let’s give a massive congratulations to #19444 Lorentz Engineering as winning alliance captain and #27675 Freedom Ltd. as their winning alliance partner. Their robots proved that simplicity, efficiency, and reliability can be the ultimate game-changer. Another big shoutout to #20361 RoboRev for being the captain of the finalist alliance, we can’t wait to see you shine at the Championship!

Building a winning robot is one thing, but pairing it with a strong team structure, a clear design process, and meaningful community impact is next-level. That’s why we’re thrilled to congratulate #24090 Trojan Robotics for taking home the Inspire Award at this Qualifying Tournament. Your performance was outstanding, and your portfolio was one of the best we’ve ever seen! And of course, a huge bravo to #16441 Pretty Smart Robotics for being the Inspire Award runner-up!

The excitement doesn’t stop here! Next up, the Qualifying Tournament in The Hague, where 5 more Championship spots are up for grabs. Stay tuned! 

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬: 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞’𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝑭𝑰𝑹𝑺𝑻® 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧!

We are thrilled to announce that STEAMup Foundation will be hosting the very first European Premier Event for FIRST ® Tech Challenge!

From July 1-5, 2025, Eindhoven will be the epicenter of global robotics innovation, as the Indoor Sportcentrum Eindhoven transforms into the stage for this extraordinary competition.

This Premier Event will bring 96 teams from all around the world together for a truly world-class experience. As an officially sanctioned, high-profile competition, it combines cutting-edge robotics challenges with the excitement of innovation, collaboration, and creativity. Eindhoven, known as a hub of technology and innovation is the perfect place for this groundbreaking milestone.

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: July 1-5, 2025
𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐄𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧, 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝!
Want to know more? Keep an eye on the official FIRST Tech Challenge European Premier Event website for updates as we release more exciting news and details:

https://ftcpremierevent.eu/

Updated learning modules for the VMBO electives Robotica and Innovation & Prototyping are available on WisMon Education Institute’s LEAPO learning platform. After a successful pilot year in 2023-2024, feedback has been thoroughly reviewed and incorporated into these enhanced modules.

The improved curriculum offers students a modern, hands-on approach, equipping them with practical skills in technology, robotics, and prototyping. The course material is structured into modules that align seamlessly with specific learning objectives and tasks. Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in the FIRST® Tech Challenge competition, further enriching their learning experience through team collaboration and problem-solving.

Thanks to its modular design, the curriculum is also adaptable for use at other educational levels to support participation in the FIRST Tech Challenge competition.

All modules are in Dutch and available for free download.

For more information, visit the LEAPO learning platform!

Last week the new team of Markenhage Breda, received their Starter Kit with all the robot materials needed to prepare for the FIRST® Tech Challenge competition. This kit was generously donated by Sterk Techniekonderwijs (STO) Breda, allowing the team’s students and mentors to fully immerse themselves in the exciting challenge of designing, building, and programming an innovative robot. We hope this marks the beginning of a long-lasting tradition of enthusiastic participation from students of Markenhage and De Campus in FIRST Tech Challenge.

Thank you, STO Breda, for supporting this rookie team!

Tip for other schools

If you’re feeling inspired and want to learn more about receiving support for participating, we encourage you to reach out to the Sterk Techniekonderwijs coordinator in your region. They can provide valuable information about the various opportunities for support and collaboration, so your students can soon embark on this exciting challenge too!

Check out what STO Region you’re part of: https://www.sterktechniekonderwijs.nl/regios-in-beeld/

FIRST® Tech Challenge and FIRST® LEGO® League have been nominated for the Computable Awards 2024! The independent jury was impressed by how we inspire thousands of young participants in the Netherlands to develop their 21st-century skills each year. And we do this together with you!

You can vote via this link.

Computable Awards

The Computable Awards are presented annually to the most innovative and successful organizations, projects, and individuals in the ICT sector. These awards are based on the assessment of an expert jury and votes from the public.

Nominated

Impuls voor technologieonderwijs (Boost for Technology Education)
FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge are jointly nominated in the Education Project category. In the coming years, we plan to give a boost to technology education in the Netherlands, with the help of sponsorship from ASML. With your vote, we can ensure that many more people become enthusiastic about the fantastic FIRST programs. Check out the jury’s final score here, which accounts for 50% of the total. The remaining 50% is determined by your votes!

How can you vote?

The voting process is open until October 7, 2024. It’s very simple to cast your vote:

• Visit the Computable website
• Click on “Stem nu!” (Vote now!)
• Enter your details
• You will receive an email allowing you to vote once
• Scroll down to the Onderwijsproject (Education Project) category and vote for: Impuls voor technologieonderwijs (Boost for Technology Education)

Together, we can help more young people discover the vast world of engineering and technology!