Transformative Learning: A Decade of Success in Educational Robotics Competition

This paper explores the multidisciplinary nature of robotics and its integration into STEM education. Drawing on various studies, it highlights the positive impact of robotics on students' thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. We focus on educational robotics competition entitled "e-Yantra Robotics Competition (eYRC)", a project-based learning initiative by e-Yantra, a robotics outreach project at IIT Bombay, India. eYRC complements traditional engineering education in India with 74 diverse themes, not only developing technical skills but emphasizes life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Our exploratory data analysis presents findings related to task submissions, team formation, and the impact of an electronics backgrounds on performance. The paper proposes a training program to address challenges identified in the analysis and reports on pilot studies conducted with undergraduate students. We highlight the transformative impact of eYRC through theme case studies, participant stories, startup successes, and its resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic preparing students for the challenges of future employment.