The Ruralbotic by Fundación Gestamp educational program, developed in collaboration with  Fundación ASTI, held its final tournament today at the municipal sports center in the Palencia town of Dueñas, bringing several months of learning in robotics, programming and digital skills development in rural schools to a close.

The event was attended by José Antonio Rubio Mielgo, regional delegate of the Junta de Castilla y León in Palencia, and Miguel Ángel Blanco, mayor of Dueñas.

The event brought together 170 students from six schools in the provinces of Palencia and Valladolid, located near Gestamp’s plant in Dueñas. The students competed in a spirit of healthy collaboration to solve a series of technological challenges. The tournament offered them the opportunity to demonstrate everything they had learned throughout the school year, applying their knowledge of computational thinking, robotics and teamwork.

Ruralbotic by Fundación Gestamp, now in its second edition, aims to bring technology closer to primary school students in rural areas, helping to reduce the digital divide and encourage STEAM vocations from an early age. Throughout the school year, students worked in the classroom with robotics kits, exploring key disciplines for their academic and professional future in a practical and playful way.

The program focuses not only on developing technical skills, but also on cross-cutting competencies such as creativity, problem-solving and teamwork. To make this possible, teachers previously received specialized training, enabling them to integrate this content into their day-to-day classroom activities.

As part of the experience, the students also visited the Gestamp Palencia plant, giving them the opportunity to see first-hand how robotics and automation are applied in a real industrial environment, thereby connecting classroom learning with the professional world.

This edition included the participation of CEIP Reyes Católicos in Dueñas, Colegio Público del Cerrato in Tariego de Cerrato and CRA Campos de Castilla in Becerril de Campos, in the province of Palencia; as well as CRA Florida del Duero in Castronuño, CRA La Esgueva in Esguevillas de Esgueva and CRA Campos Góticos in Medina de Rioseco, in Valladolid.

The final tournament represents not only the closing of the program, but also a celebration of the students’ effort, curiosity and talent, as well as the commitment of both foundations to promoting technology education in areas where access to this type of initiative is more limited.

Mónica Riberas, General Director of Fundación Gestamp, highlights: “Ruralbotic shows that technology can transform territories when it is placed at the service of people. Being present in rural areas, where the Group’s plants are located, providing digital skills training from an early age and bringing the industrial world closer to young children is a real way to create opportunities.”

Rubén Martínez, Executive Director of Fundación ASTI, adds: “This initiative reflects our commitment to building alliances with organizations that, like Fundación Gestamp, share the belief that fostering STEM talent is critical to building a better future for everyone. The purpose of Ruralbotic is to ensure that no child is left behind, regardless of where they live.”