**Ten Young Cypriots Turn History into Play**
Ten young Cypriots have made headlines by taking 3,000 years of their island's history to Sydney, Australia, through an innovative robotics project and educational game. The team, known as RobotHeadz, represented Cyprus at the FIRST LEGO League Asia Pacific Open Championship, which took place at Macquarie University from July 9 to 12.
Comprising five boys and five girls, the team traveled to Australia after securing the national title by defeating competitors from across Cyprus. They were accompanied by their coach, Pericles Cheng, and their parents. The championship featured young innovators who showcased their skills in robotics, research, and teamwork, all under this year’s archaeology-themed challenge titled “Unearthed.” This theme encouraged participants to explore how technology can aid in uncovering, preserving, and explaining historical artifacts.
RobotHeadz presented their project, Artifact GO, a mobile educational game that transforms Cyprus into a virtual excavation site. In this interactive game, players select one of the island's districts, remove layers of earth, and uncover archaeological objects that tell stories from Cyprus’ rich past. Among the artifacts featured in the game is a Bronze Age juglet, which is linked to Cyprus’ ancient copper trade with Egypt. This historical connection is further emphasized by the Amarna letters, a collection of diplomatic correspondence from the 14th century BC, which includes a letter from the ruler of Alashiya—often associated with ancient Cyprus—addressing the Egyptian king and promising to send copper in exchange for luxury goods.
The students have effectively taken history beyond traditional museum displays and textbooks through Artifact GO. By integrating programming, gaming, digital design, and archaeology, they have created an engaging platform that allows younger audiences to explore Cyprus’ cultural heritage interactively. The game is designed not only for local use but also with the potential for adaptation in other countries, enabling students worldwide to discover their own archaeological sites and historical narratives using a similar format.
RobotHeadz earned their spot at the Sydney event by winning multiple awards at the FIRST LEGO League Cyprus 2026 national final, including the Champion’s Award, Core Values Award, and Robot Design Award. This achievement marks the team’s third consecutive national title, following their international appearances in Florida in 2024 and Houston in 2025.
To support their participation, the team created an AI-generated introductory video that illustrates the concept behind Artifact GO. This video portrays Cyprus as a vast excavation site and highlights how archaeological discoveries can reveal broader stories about trade, diplomacy, and the island’s significance in the ancient world. The video was made with consent for the photographs used to create the students’ AI avatars, as noted in the accompanying disclaimer.
In addition to showcasing their project, the initiative aims to foster discussions around the responsible use of generative AI in education. An interview with coach Cheng is planned, along with a session for students focusing on the risks associated with using generative AI without proper precautions and guidance. This discussion will align with the Education Ministry's guidance, emphasizing the careful approach needed when dealing with AI-generated materials, especially those involving personal photographs and historical facts.
The success of RobotHeadz is attributed to a broader network of support, including the Cyprus Computer Society, which organizes the national FIRST LEGO League competition, as well as volunteers, coaches, and other supporters. Their international participation was further backed by the research foundation and the Office of the Chief Scientist. Prior to their trip, the students met with Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides to present their project application and also brought along materials showcasing Cyprus’ scientific and cultural contributions, including 3D-printed artifacts and audiovisual content related to the island’s heritage.
The journey of RobotHeadz transcends mere accolades or competition placements. The students engaged in extensive research, programmed a functional product, designed and tested a robot, divided responsibilities, and navigated challenges when their ideas did not initially succeed. While Sydney served as the international stage for their talents, the more significant narrative began in Cyprus, where these ten young individuals combined their interests in archaeology, robotics, and artificial intelligence to explore the past in a groundbreaking way.