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What is the NRC?

The NRC is Singapore's largest school robotics competition, organised by Science Centre Singapore with MOE support since 1999 — attracting over 68,000 participants to date. Students design, build, and programme LEGO robots to complete missions on a themed playfield, developing problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork.

Competition Format (Regular Category)

Mission-based competition where teams build and programme LEGO robots to solve challenges on a playfield
Presentation Week: 18 – 19 Aug 2026 at Science Centre Singapore
Robot Run Week: 25 – 26 Aug 2026 at Suntec Convention Centre
Presentation Finals: 28 Aug 2026 at Suntec Convention Centre
Participants will be notified of their scheduled date.

LEGO SPIKE Prime NRC competition robot with gear mechanism

LEGO SPIKE Prime NRC robot with large wheels

LEGO SPIKE Prime robot with cube carrier attachment

Competition Coaching

Our NRC Preparation Course equips students with the skills and hands-on experience needed to compete confidently. Here's what your child will gain:

Robot Building & Programming

Hands-on practice constructing competition-ready robots and writing programmes to complete missions accurately and efficiently.

Mission Strategy & Field Navigation

Learn to analyse missions, plan optimal routes across the playfield, and prioritise tasks for maximum scoring under time pressure.

Timed Match Simulations

Practise under real competition conditions with 2-minute timed runs, building confidence and refining speed and accuracy before the actual event.

Competition Day Mentoring

Our coaches accompany your child on competition day, providing guidance, moral support, and last-minute strategy adjustments at the venue.

Who Can Participate?

Upper Primary: 10 to 12 years old
(as of 31 December 2026)

Teams of 2 to 3 members
(Roboto Coding Academy will form the team for your child)

Preparation Course Location

Tampines (Opp Tampines Hub)

What's Included

4 x 3h in-person Coaching Sessions
Registration Fees to Organiser
Loan of Competition Lego Robotics Kits during Coaching Sessions and the day of the competition
Access to the practice room for team practice on weekends
Mentoring and Chaperoning on the day of the competition
Competition Certificate from Organiser
Curriculum Revision to Competitive Robotics subjects as needed (for GCP students only, depending on students' experience)

Dates & Times

Registration Deadline: 5 July 2026

Coaching Session 1: Sun, 12 Jul 2026, 9am–12pm
Coaching Session 2: Sun, 19 Jul 2026, 9am–12pm
Coaching Session 3: Sun, 26 Jul 2026, 9am–12pm
Coaching Session 4: Sun, 2 Aug 2026, 9am–12pm
Early drop-off from 8am | Late pick-up by 1pm — available upon request

Make-up & Optional Revision:
Make-up Session 1: Sun, 9 Aug 2026, 9am–12pm
Make-up Session 2: Sun, 16 Aug 2026, 9am–12pm

Presentation Week: 18 – 19 Aug 2026
Science Centre Singapore — participants will be notified of their scheduled date.

Robot Run Week: 25 – 26 Aug 2026
Suntec Convention Centre — participants will be notified of their scheduled date.

Presentation Finals: 28 Aug 2026
Suntec Convention Centre

Fees

Public Price: $585
GCP Student Price: $485
inclusive of registration fee

The Category

The Upper Primary playfield, missions, and course details.

Upper Primary Playfield: Vertical Farm

The competition takes place on a large mat (approximately 2362mm x 1143mm) representing a high-tech Vertical Farm facility. The field features multiple zones for cube placement, circular target areas, and a Loading Zone that serves as the team's home base.

Hardware

LEGO SPIKE Prime LEGO EV3

LEGO SPIKE Prime robotics kit with hub, motors, sensors and building elements

LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robotics kit with intelligent brick, motors and sensors

Missions Overview

The Upper Primary challenge moves into the world of Vertical Farming. Teams oversee the integration of vital facility components to maintain the operations of an automated farm, built upon six pillars:

1
Resource Management — Regulating the farm's environment, including temperature and airflow, to maintain optimal plant health.
2
Planting — Using robotic precision to deploy seeds and seedlings for consistent crop growth.
3
Nutrient Delivery — Automating irrigation systems to supply water with essential minerals and nutrients.
4
Lighting Control — Managing specialised light spectrums essential for photosynthesis in indoor environments.
5
Harvesting — Carefully removing mature produce to minimise damage and maximise efficiency.
6
Monitoring and Data — Collecting critical sensor data to maintain a productive farm environment.

Technology Focus

This category encourages students to think like industrial engineers, with a particular focus on robotic arm design. Unlike simple mobile robots, robotic arms allow for vertical reach to access high-density planting racks, delicate handling of fragile produce, and high-speed precision to manage complex tasks.

Game Day: Each match lasts exactly 2 minutes (120 seconds). The Loading Zone is the designated home base where robots are inspected and students may safely interact with their equipment.

Why Participate?

Exposure to competitive robotics at a national level

Develops problem-solving, creative thinking, and teamwork skills

Great portfolio builder for DSA (Direct School Admission) to top secondary schools

Recognition through certificates and awards from NRC organisers

Hands-on experience with LEGO robotics, autonomous programming, and robotic arm design

Singapore's largest school robotics competition, supported by MOE since 1999

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions about the NRC preparation course

This preparation course is for Upper Primary students (aged 10 to 12). Age eligibility is determined as of 31 December 2026. Your child must be able to commit to both the training dates and competition dates.

All NRC Regular Category teams use LEGO-based robots. Upper Primary students use SPIKE Prime, EV3, or Robot Inventor. All parts of the robot, including controller, motors, and sensors, must be official LEGO components.

Upper Primary teams compete on a Vertical Farm playfield with engineering challenges including robotic arm design and autonomous programming, across six mission pillars: resource management, planting, nutrient delivery, lighting control, harvesting, and monitoring and data.

The NRC 2026 competition runs from August to September 2026, with exact dates to be confirmed by Science Centre Singapore. It is estimated to take place over two Saturdays between 15 August and 5 September 2026. Check the official NRC page for the latest schedule.

The NRC 2026 theme is "Mission Meals," inspired by UN Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Upper Primary students manage a high-tech vertical farm. Teams use the new GRG Game Elements Set, which features magnetic cubes that snap together for more creative robot carrier designs.

Some familiarity with LEGO robotics and block-based coding is recommended for Upper Primary. Our preparation course covers robot building, programming fundamentals, and mission strategy. Students who have completed Roboto's robotics modules will have a strong foundation.

NRC registration is typically done through schools. However, Roboto Coding Academy will help to form a private team and register on behalf of your child for the NRC 2026 competition.

No — Roboto will provide competition LEGO robotics kits for use during the Coaching Sessions and on the day of the competition. Your child does not need to bring their own set.

Roboto Coding Academy – Tampines Learning Centre
856E Tampines St 82, Singapore 525856

NRC Preparation Course