Engineering for good

Beyond the competition, many teams also use the platform to promote social advocacy.

Man Ching-tin, a member of the Royal Turtles from Diocesan Boys' School in Hong Kong, shared how his team has brought STEM education to more than 300 underprivileged children across 15 institutions.

They have also integrated elements of FRC into their school curriculum, reaching and influencing over 2,000 individuals.

"We traveled to Thailand to provide educational opportunities for children in impoverished areas, hoping to change lives through technology," he said. "We've also partnered with science museums to offer courses that teach basic scientific knowledge to children, including those with autism."

His teammate, Xu Yin-tat, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration. "We hope to establish a broader FRC community with other schools," he said. "We've hosted a team from Shenzhen at our school and have begun seeking partnerships with teams from Beijing and Shanghai."

Song Jinyang, coach of Violet Z 6940 team, has witnessed remarkable transformations in her students. "Many students join without a strong foundation in robotics. Through the process, you see them start from scratch and gradually develop a profound interest in innovation," she said.

"They become deeply invested in their assigned tasks and conduct in-depth independent research. One student even mastered 3D printing to a level that surpassed many adults," Song noted.

She added that these hands-on experiences often shape students' future career paths, with many alumni going on to study engineering and later returning as mentors.

Hosting the event for the second consecutive year, Shi Hongliang, principal of the Minhang Zizhu Branch of the No 2 High School affiliated with ECNU, said the goal is to provide a world-class platform for young people.

"Our aim is to give more students from Shanghai and across China the opportunity to participate in high-level robotics competitions locally," he said. "The growing number of domestic participants, together with teams from around the world, not only raises the level of competition but also helps the international community better understand China and recognize the achievements of Chinese youth in robotics education."

Wang Hao, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Education, emphasized the strategic importance of youth innovation."Young people represent the future of scientific innovation. As Shanghai accelerates its development into a global technology hub, strengthening science education for young people is central to that vision," he said.

"True education enables young people to sharpen their skills by solving real-world problems, learning inclusivity through teamwork, and maintaining passion when facing the unknown," said Ma Yugang, president of ECNU. "Competitions like FRC serve as vital bridges that connect classrooms with society and link theory with practice."