Steam Andorra Wins National First Lego League Title

The 12th First Lego League Andorra Telecom wrapped up on Wednesday at the Andorra la Vella Congress Centre, where Steam Andorra from Col·legi Sant Ermengol in Encamp claimed the national title and a direct entry to the Spanish final in Burgos on 11 April. A win there would send them to the world final in the United States.

Ten teams, drawing over 120 students from Andorran and Spanish schools, tackled archaeology-themed challenges. Participants built Lego robots to complete programming and strength missions across three rounds on four tables, with each run limited to two and a half minutes. A team member and referee checked results after every round for fairness.

Andorra Telecom, sponsor since the competition's launch, praised the event for sparking STEM interest early, with strong female participation and a cycle where past competitors now teach. Cèsar Marquina, deputy CEO, said it creates a self-reinforcing loop: "There are teachers who went through the first editions of the First Lego League. This shows this wheel that feeds back. We manage to train people to return technological talent to the country." Inés Martí, head of communications and corporate social responsibility, noted more teams this year, including some splitting within schools, and called it a global robotics programme that builds skills didactically while drawing girls into tech.

Six awards were handed out beyond the top prize. Pepe Jones from Col·legi Anna Maria Janer won for robot behaviour and design. Arqueólogos Sant Ermengol received the innovation project award, Innobots from Escola Andorrana de Santa Coloma took core values, and Marta Armengol from SuperRobotics at Escola Andorrana de Segona Ensenyança d'Ordino was named top coach.

The Xeribots from Xeridell Occupational Service, backed by Fundació Privada Nostra Senyora de Meritxell, competed for a second year with five participants. Their robot, controlled by team members, moved barriers from a "past" zone—symbolising old hurdles like bus access, sports exclusion, communication gaps, and voting restrictions—to a "present" area, highlighting accessibility gains. The project showcased Xeridell's three-year robotics workshop, which fosters technical, cognitive, and social growth in inclusive settings.

Student innovations included Jana Hinojosa's team from Escola Andorra de Santa Coloma, who developed an AI network like Google Lens to link archaeologists and speed up artifact identification despite deep computing hurdles. Dídac Molina's Encamp group proposed a submarine robot for Andorran lakes, including Madriu valley sites flagged by heritage officials, adapting a Swiss prototype. Daniel Ginesta's Santa Coloma squad created a hydrogen battery for steady, eco-friendly power in archaeological gear, tackling unreliable renewables and fossil fuel dependence.