An individual science item in which a High School or Higher Secondary student builds and demonstrates a robot, judged out of 100 at the Kerala Sasthrolsavam science fairs.
Robotics asks one student to design, build and demonstrate a machine that senses something and acts on it. A line-following vehicle, an obstacle-avoiding car, a robotic arm that picks and places, or a simple automatic gate all count, provided the student can show how the sensors, controller and moving parts work together.
In the Kerala School Sasthrolsavam Science Fair the item is for individual entrants at High School (classes 8-10) and Higher Secondary/VHSE (classes 11-12), open to girls and boys. It sits alongside Electronics and IoT as the technology-facing strand of the fair.
Judging is hands-on. The student switches the robot on, lets it perform its task, and then explains the circuit, the code or logic and the choice of parts. Judges will ask what happens when a sensor fails, how the program decides, and what the student would improve. A robot that runs reliably and is explained with confidence beats a more ambitious one that fails on the table.
The item uses the same seven-part indicator table: creativity 20, innovation and originality 15, scientific thought and principle 15, technical skill and craftsmanship 15, utility 15, durability and low cost 10, presentation 10, so utility and low cost matter as much as technical flair.
Where Robotics is run
Robotics is part of the official Kerala School Sasthrolsavam Science Fair, which runs through school, sub-district, district and state rounds, and is installed on eTalenter through the Science Fair template. School robotics contests exist in many places, but this page describes only the Kerala fair’s format.
- Kerala, India
Key facts
- Individual item, open to girls and boys.
- Offered at High School and Higher Secondary/VHSE only.
- Scored out of 100 on the seven-part model table.
- The robot must be demonstrated working in front of the judges.
- Judges question circuit, code or logic, and choice of parts.
- Utility and low cost carry 25 of the 100 marks together.
On eTalenter, Robotics is filed under Special and typically scored with Marks. It appears in 1 ready-made event templates — each one can adjust its time limit, age-group assignment and scoring setup independently.
Across the templates that use it, Robotics is most often entered as an Individual competition, typically scored out of 100.
What judges look at in Robotics
What a Robotics panel is actually weighing up, and where the marks are usually won or lost:
- Creativity (20): a robot with a purpose that is not just a copy of a common kit project.
- Innovation and originality (15): the part of the design that is yours.
- Scientific thought and principle (15): you can explain how sensing and control work.
- Technical skill and craftsmanship (15): tidy wiring, secure mounting, reliable behaviour.
- Utility (15): the robot solves a real task such as sorting, guarding or carrying.
- Durability and low cost (10): sturdy and built from affordable or recycled components.
- Presentation (10): a clear, calm demonstration and explanation.
Treat these as the judging focus, not a fixed rubric: publish your own weighted criteria for Robotics under Scoring Setup, or start from the judging and scoring software guide.
How to prepare for Robotics
How entrants and their teachers usually get Robotics right on the day:
- Pick a task first, then choose the sensors and motors that serve it.
- Test the robot on the same kind of surface and lighting as the exhibition hall.
- Carry spare batteries, wires, a screwdriver and a copy of the code.
- Draw a block diagram showing sensor, controller, driver and motor, and explain it aloud.
- Practise saying what the code does line by line in plain language.
- Plan a fallback demo if one function fails, such as showing the sensor reading on its own.
- Keep the robot tidy; loose wires lose craftsmanship marks.
- Idea to try: a seed-sowing robot that drops seeds at fixed spacing
- Idea to try: a bin that opens when a hand approaches and warns when full
- Idea to try: a line-following trolley that carries a light load between two tables
Ready-made event templates that include Robotics
Open any template to preview it in eTalenter and install it as a live, editable event.
| Template | Category | Score label | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala School Sasthrolsavam – Science Fair | Special | Marks | 2 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Robotics judged individually or as a team?
Across eTalenter’s templates it’s most often run as an Individual entry, though an organiser can set either participation type when assigning the item to an age group.
Do I need a ready-made kit?
The manual does not require or ban kits, but originality and your own design are scored, so show what you built or changed yourself.
Is coding required?
A robot normally needs a program; be ready to explain what it does, because the viva focuses on understanding.
Can a team enter Robotics?
In this fair’s list Robotics is an individual item at both levels.
What is the difference between Robotics and Electronics?
Robotics centres on a machine that senses and acts; Electronics centres on a circuit or device. They share the same score sheet.
Want the full judging picture? Read the judging and scoring software guide, or browse every special competition item.
Try Robotics in eTalenter
See every ready-made template that runs Robotics, and install one as a live event — age groups, rules and scoring included.
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