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Igniting Young Minds — Tamil Nadu Robotics League Season 3

In a spectacular display of innovation and enthusiasm, Tamil Nadu Robotics League Season 3 (TRL-3) unfolded at National College, Trichy, drawing in over 5,000 students from 370 schools across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Telangana. Organized by Propeller Technologies with support from Amazon Web Services (AWS), SASTRA University as the knowledge partner, and powered by Veranda Learning Solutions, TRL-3 set the stage for a thrilling exploration of robotics and STEM education.

Theme and Structure:

The theme for TRL-3 was Space Exploration, which encouraged participants to design and build robots capable of simulating space mission tasks. Students were grouped into Junior, Senior, and Super Senior divisions, allowing them to compete at levels suited to their age and experience. 

The challenges tested not only robotics design and programming skills but also ingenuity, teamwork, and problem-solving qualities that are vital for real engineering tasks.

Highlights & Impact

  • The turnout itself was remarkable: 5,000+ students from 370 schools participated, reflecting high interest in robotics and STEM fields.
  • The organizing team emphasized hands-on learning as the heart of the competition. As Aashik Rahman, CEO of Propeller Technologies, noted: “We’re not just teaching robotics; we’re empowering students to think critically, collaborate, and tackle real problems.”
  • In partnership with nearly 500 schools annually, Propeller Technologies is steadily building a network for nurturing STEM talent in the region.
  • Support from education stakeholders reinforced the vision: Subramanyam Kantheti of Veranda K-12 (which manages BVM Global Schools) highlighted how competitions like TRL provide critical experiential learning beyond textbooks.

Challenges & Takeaways

  • Scale & Logistics : Coordinating an event of this magnitude—with 5,000 students across multiple divisions—is no small feat. Venue preparation, scheduling, maintaining fairness in judging, and ensuring equipment readiness would have demanded meticulous planning.
  • Inclusivity vs. Skill Gap : With participants coming from many schools (some with strong robotics support, others without), balancing the playing field is always challenging. Designing challenges that are open-ended yet grounded helps ensure the competition rewards creativity, not just prior exposure.
  • Sustainability & Follow-up : An event like TRL should ideally spark long-term interest, not just a one-day showcase. Ensuring students continue their projects, join clubs, or get mentorship is essential for real impact.

Moving Forward Vision for Future Editions

1.Expand Reach

Bringing in more rural schools or districts that currently have less access to STEM outreach.

2.Mentorship

Pairing students with mentors from academia or industry to carry their projects beyond the competition.

3.Thematic Continuity

Enable longer cycles so students refine robot designs over months making TRL a lasting experience.

4.Industry Partnerships:

Partner with more sponsors to provide tools, resources, and judges for better quality and scale.

Tamil Nadu Robotics League Season 3 has firmly positioned itself as a marquee event for nurturing young innovators in robotics and STEM. With its broad participation, compelling theme, and collaborative spirit, TRL-3 is not just a competition—it’s a movement toward empowering the next generation of engineers, thinkers, and creators.