New 'Roboccia Club' Launched: Integrating Boccia and Robot Programming for Next-Gen STEAM Education

Sozogakuen, a subsidiary of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. that operates tutoring schools in Hyogo Prefecture, officially launched the 'Roboccia Club' on May 1, 2026, a brand-new learning space that fuses robot programming with the parasport 'Boccia'. This project is an independent initiative that transcends the boundaries of Sozogakuen's existing tutoring brands to provide new learning opportunities for the next generation. By combining the Gakken Group's educational expertise with the latest STEAM education, the club aims to cultivate not only programming-based logical thinking but also 'inclusive collaboration' that respects age, gender, and diversity. Ahead of the full-scale launch, a media event will be held on June 6, 2026, at the Sozogakuen Motomachi Headquarters, featuring a demonstration and explanation of the program. The Roboccia Club is not just a programming class where students write code; it requires high-level strategic thinking to predict opponents' moves, alongside technical trial-and-error to maneuver robots to throw balls accurately. Inheriting the core appeal of Boccia—that anyone can compete on equal footing—the program fosters communication and teamwork regardless of physical ability or age. Furthermore, it provides a 'trial-and-error' environment where students learn resilience by analyzing and correcting bugs or strategic mistakes as a team. In the VUCA era, Sozogakuen emphasizes the ability to collaborate and find optimal solutions to open-ended questions. Through the Roboccia Club, which combines technology with human-centric teamwork, the company aims to nurture the next generation of innovators who will shape Japan's future.