Page 72 - JA Romania FactBook 2025-2026

digital and
STEM skills Skills Upload Jr Challenge
The Skills Upload Jr Challenge is an international competition aimed at promoting
a balanced and responsible use of technology among students aged 11 to 16,
corresponding to Years 5-8. The competition, launched by Vodafone Foundation in
2024, takes place simultaneously in seven European countries, including Romania.
It encourages participants to develop innovative technological solutions to real-life
challenges by exploring the role of artificial intelligence in everyday life and show-
ing how it can support wellbeing and strengthen human connections when used
responsibly.
From a total of 178 lower secondary school teams, only five advanced to the nation-
al final held in Bucharest on 9 February 2026, where they presented their projects
to a jury. Among them, the DMS Team from Mihai Eminescu Secondary School,
coordinated by teacher Popa Miana Florentina, represented Romania at the Euro-
pean stage. Competing alongside teams from across Europe, the Romanian team
received the “Mention for Quality of the Proposed Technological Solution”, recog-
nising the quality, relevance, and strong potential of their innovative solution.
Project financially supported by