Mariza Freire

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Mariza Freire is a pioneering figure in educational robotics, best known for transforming traditional robot competitions into vibrant, inclusive festivals that prioritize learning and creativity over rivalry. Her most cited work, "Upgrade Your Robot Competition, Make a Festival!" (2013, 5 citations), captures her core philosophy: that robotics education should be accessible, collaborative, and celebratory. As a key contributor to the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Robotics, Freire has championed the "mobot" approach—mobile robots designed for hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. Her major contribution lies in reimagining competitive robotics as a platform for community engagement, where participants of all ages and backgrounds can explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through playful experimentation. Though her citation count is modest, her impact is profound: her festival model has been adopted by educational institutions worldwide, inspiring a generation of young roboticists to see technology not as a battleground, but as a tool for shared discovery. Freire’s work reminds us that the most meaningful innovations often arise not from winning, but from inviting everyone to play.