Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute Brings Interactive STEM Activities to FIRST® LEGO® League Cyprus 2025

The Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) is proud to support the FIRST® LEGO® League Cyprus 2025 – Submerged!, organized by the Cyprus Computer Society (CCS). The event took place on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the European University Cyprus.

FIRST® LEGO® League is the world’s largest robotics competition, engaging children aged 4-16 in hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning. This year’s theme, Submerged, invited participants to explore the wonders of the ocean while innovating ways to protect and sustain marine environments. Over 230 students from various educational levels, including kindergarten, elementary, high school, and technical schools, showcased their talents in this dynamic event.

As a leader in marine and maritime research and innovation, CMMI is dedicated to fostering STEM education and inspiring the next generation of ocean explorers and technologists. CMMI brought an exciting array of interactive STEM activities designed to immerse participants in the fascinating world of ocean science and technology:

  • Demonstration of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs): Participants had the opportunity to pilot small underwater robots performing maneuvers in a transparent tank.
  • Immersive Virtual Reality Underwater Experiences: Children explored Cyprus’ renowned shipwrecks and experienced the underwater world like never before using 360° virtual reality.
  • Artificial Reefs: A hands-on activity introducing 3D-printed reef structures, where children designed their own reef models using LEGO bricks.
  • Catch Wisely – The Sustainable Fishing Game: This fun, educational game demonstrated the importance of sustainable fishing and the impact of overfishing on marine environments.
  • Augmented Reality Shipwrecks: Interactive AR posters brought Cyprus’ historic shipwrecks to life, offering 3D models and diving routes through smartphone scanning.
  • Underwater Archaeological Excavation: A mini underwater excavation simulation where participants uncovered ancient artifacts, learning about marine archaeology.

These activities were inspired by the work performed in EU-funded and national projects such as MaRITeC-X, Charisma, LORELEI-X, MDigi-I, SeaTecHub, DMoT- 3D, PUREEF-Y, AXOLOTL, MEDSEAPLAN, EX-AQUA, EFFECTIVE, Mr.Goodfish, TeachBlue, THETIDA.

Beyond robotics, the event provided a platform for teamwork, problem-solving, and environmental awareness, aligning with CMMI’s mission to drive innovation in the marine and maritime sectors.

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