The Advanced Robotics Course is an initiative funded by a group of American engineers who, after learning about the Projeto de Robótica at Centro Educativo João Paulo II, were impressed by the institution’s methodology and decided to replicate the initiative in other educational spaces in their own country. Like the other programs offered by the institution, the Advanced Robotics Course was designed to further contribute to the development of young people in the community. The initiative is aimed primarily at high school students who have a strong interest in technology, programming, and robotics.
The course promotes the development of applied technological knowledge by providing students with a solid foundation in programming while also enhancing their mechanical skills. The students’ main task is to independently design and build a prototype, in this case a line-following robot, to compete in the Olimpíada Brasileira de Robótica (OBR) in the on-site competition category. The competition brings together teams from public and private schools, as well as independent teams, commonly known as “garage teams,” consisting of up to four members. The challenge is to design, build, and program a line-following robot capable of completing a simulated rescue mission in rough terrain where human access is not possible.
The course is offered free of charge and expands access to high-quality technological education, making it a highly relevant social initiative, especially considering that this type of knowledge remains inaccessible to a large portion of the Brazilian population.
The initiative attracted the media attention, and on March 26, 2026, Centro Educativo João Paulo II welcomed journalist Müller Nunes from TV Bahia. On that occasion, the project was featured live on Jornal da Manhã, one of the most-watched morning news programs in the state of Bahia.
Following the placement assessment, two classes were formed and the course officially began. The students are currently preparing to compete in the regional stage of the Olimpíada Brasileira de Robótica (OBR), which will take place on August 29, 2026, at Escola SESI Djalma Pessoa in Salvador.
