Introducing robo.sprintMT, Malta’s ultimate tech systems showdown for students aged 10 to 16. This competition is not just about robotics, it's about building real-world dedicated systems using Arduino or any other platform, and your boldest ideas.
From smart cities to healthcare, automation to sustainability, you’ll be challenged to create intelligent solutions based on a surprise theme. Think fast, build smart, and code with purpose. Are you ready to prototype the future?
🏆 Incredible prizes up for grabs: complete Arduino kits, tech vouchers, and certified robotics courses for the winning teams!
*For exact prize details, please check the Rules and Regulations below.
About
robo.sprintMT is Malta’s national robotics competition for students aged up to 16. It's an exciting new initiative, launched in 2025 and organised by the Directorate for STEM & Vocational Programmes (DSVP) within the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research & Innovation (MEYR). The event aims to become a fixed highlight in the national education calendar.
robo.sprintMT challenges students to design, build, and program real-world systems using any platform, such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi, in response to a surprise theme announced after registration closes. The focus is on applying creativity and technical skills to tackle meaningful problems related to a particular theme.
Competition Highlights:
Teams of 2–4 students receive a starter kit and may use additional resources of their choice, up to a set budget limit.
On competition day, participants get a 3-hour live window to build, code, and present their project.
Winners receive custom trophies, tech gear, accredited courses, and national recognition.
The main objective of robo.sprintMT is to stimulate interest in coding and robotics, while nurturing innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving. The initiative also aligns with MEYR’s broader mission which is to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring that what students learn in classrooms is relevant and contextualised to the realities of the modern workplace.
Rules & Regulations
This year's theme is all about connecting with nature. We've all seen cool projects about smart homes and automated cars, but what if we found our best ideas by looking at the world around us? Using the Arduino starter kit or any platform of your choice, your challenge is to build a project that is based on nature.
Take inspiration from nature, animals, ecosystems, natural processes, and even planetary health and, for example, design a system that mimics how a chameleon changes colours, create a system to monitor the health of a plant, or even build something that helps solve a real-world problem like pollution, or energy conservation.
Nature has had billions of years to perfect its designs. Now it's your turn to learn from it and create something amazing that makes a difference.
* Central theme revealed on 9th August 2025
Judges will be evaluating the projects and solutions according to the official assessment rubric below 📋
| Criteria | 1 - Poor (<20 marks) |
2 - Fair (<40 marks) |
3 - Good (<60 marks) |
4 - Very Good (<80 marks) |
5 - Excellent (>79 marks) |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Functionality | The project is incomplete or does not function | Functions partially, but has major issues | Works but with minor flaws | Fully functional with minor improvements needed | Works perfectly and performs all intended functions | 20% |
| Innovation & Originality | No originality, common or copied idea | Slight originality, but heavily inspired by existing projects | Some innovative aspects, but not groundbreaking | Clear originality, with fresh ideas | Highly innovative, creative, and stands out | 20% |
| Real-World Relevance | No real-world application | Limited relevance, unrealistic scenario | Some relevance but needs refinement | Strong relevance and practical use | Directly addresses a real issue with a clear impact | 20% |
| Aesthetics & Design | Poorly structured, messy, lacks presentation | Basic setup but lacks refinement | Well-structured, but minor design flaws | Visually appealing, organized | Excellent design, highly polished and professional | 10% |
| Technical Depth | Very basic setup showing minimal use of electronics or coding skills | Simple but functional project with limited technical features | Uses appropriate electronic and programming methods to achieve its purpose | Demonstrates advanced technical skills and effective problem-solving | Shows high-level integration of hardware, software, and design with excellent execution | 10% |
| Code Quality | Code is confusing, unorganized, and shows little understanding of its purpose | Some organization, but code is unclear and shows limited understanding | Code is readable and somewhat structured, demonstrating basic understanding of how it works | Code is clear, well-structured, modular, and properly commented, showing solid understanding | Code is highly readable, efficiently structured, modular, fully commented, and demonstrates excellent understanding of its function | 10% |
| Pitch Presentation | Unclear or missing key elements | Basic but lacks proper explanation | Demonstrates project but lacks clarity | Clear explanation, good flow | Engaging, well-structured, and professional | 10% |
🏆 Winner (for each team member)
🥈🥉 Runner Up & Second-Runner Up
🤝 Other Team Members
frequently asked questions
No. Although the starter kit is Arduino-based, registered teams are welcome to use other platforms such as ESP, Micro:Bit, Raspberry Pi, and similar boards.
No, participation is by teams of 2 to 4 members only.
No, participation is onsite during the event day; remote participation is not allowed.
Yes, each team can purchase extra parts / materials up to €50. The use of any extra components / materials should be justified during the presentation of the solution / project.
🤝 Invent 3D Support: For RoboSprint 2025, Invent 3D is helping out by providing FREE design and manufacturing for the housing of your solution. Therefore, the material used for the housing does not count toward the €50 limit for extra parts!
No, each team must consist of between 2 and 4 members.
Yes, you can present a polished product during your presentation pitch. However, during the actual competition, all teams are required to build their circuit and code everything from scratch using the components provided; i.e., breadboard, jumper wires, Arduino, etc...
🎯 The goal is to showcase your problem-solving, teamwork, and technical skills under time constraints.
During your final pitch, you are expected to demonstrate both:
🛠️ The work you completed during the competition (built and programmed on the spot), and
💎 Your polished version (e.g., PCB, custom enclosure) developed as part of your preparation before the event.
This shows both your real-time engineering process and your design iteration and refinement ⚙️✨
Projects will be graded according to the official Robo.SprintMT assessment rubric focusing on innovation, functionality, coding, and presentation quality.
Teams must bring their laptop/s, and all electronic components and design materials they have prepared prior to the competition to build their project/solution on competition day 💻⚡🔌📐
💡🧠 Besides, bring your creativity, problem-solving skills, and readiness to build from scratch within the 3-hour contest window.
The starter kit includes:
🔔 Note: The exact contents might slightly vary depending on the availability of kits when purchased.
Anyone aged 10 to 16 can register as part of a team! 👧👦
All registered participants will receive either an award certificate or a certificate of participation. All certificates will be issued in blockchain format, enabling participants to share their achievements online, on social media, or with friends and contacts. 😃
Because participants must be 16 years old or younger, parental or guardian approval is required for safety and consent.
Yes, the winning team members will each receive a custom-made trophy 🏆, and each member of the two runners-up teams will receive a cusom-made medal 🥈🥉
Registration for 2026
Registration is not yet open!