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Torquay Academy Wins Robotics Challenge 2019
Learn by Design had the pleasure of supporting EngineeringUK this year, with the delivery and management of The Robotics Challenge as part of The Tomorrow’s Engineers programme.
The Challenge brought together 49 teams, from over 500 schools from across the country in order to go head to head at The Big Bang Fair 2019.
The Challenge:
Students built, programmed and controlled LEGO robots for a series of ‘aviation missions’. Students also had to research, design and present their own solution to a contemporary engineering problem faced by STEM professionals in the aviation industry.
The Robotics Challenge introduces student teams to real-world engineering, technology, robotics and computing challenges. The challenge aims to help students put their school learning into context and discover exciting new careers.
The Winners
The team is made up of ten students, who are Angus Graham, Oliver Phillips, Robin Pightling, Will Harrison, Ollie Hill, James Scrimgeor, Azize Isufi, Emily Mahoney-Billis, Antonia Standen and Kacy Fairhurst. Head of Physics Reece Broome, the teacher who led the group, also received one of the new Teacher prizes, awarded by the Helsington Foundation. This prize includes an in-depth visit to the engineering department at the University of Cambridge and a cash award to the school of £1000.
WINNER - Torquay Academy
Highly Commended: Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun
Highly Commended: Thomas Telford School
Helsington Foundation teacher Prize:
Simon Poulton – Goole Academy,
Martin Macmillan – McLaren School,
James Rhee – Nonsuch High School for Girls
Reece Broome – Torquay Academy,
Kevin Davies – Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun,
Annie Beglin – St Crispin’s School
Robot Challenge Award: St James School
Teamwork Challenge Award: Eckington College
Project Presentation Award: McLaren High School
Robot Design Award: Parkside Secondary School
Speed Challenge Award: Calderstones School
Sparking Engineering Inspiration
Research from EngineeringUK, who run the Challenge, shows that communicating engineering careers to young people is vital for the future of the UK economy.
EngineeringUK’s Chief Executive, Dr Hilary Leevers, said: “We need to inspire more young people to consider a career in the engineering industry if the UK is to meet its future demand for engineers.”
“The Robotics Challenge gives young people of all backgrounds a chance to experience the variety, excitement and opportunity presented by a career in engineering.”
For more information on the Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge please visit www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/robotics
Positive Feedback from schools:
“We had a fantastic day at Renishaw today, all the students loved the competition. It was so well organised, the staff were lovely with the students and the day was exciting from start to finish. They really enjoyed the teamwork challenge and the fact that they were able to take the torches home that they had made as a team. They spent all day changing and adapting their robots and they would like to continue to improve their mat skills next week! They were also fascinated by the robots in the Renishaw showroom. This has been such a valuable process for them and thank you to everyone who has been involved in the challenge planning and preparations for the competition and everyone involved today.” Malmesbury School
“Huge thank you for organising the Lego robotics competition and also supporting Camden girls with the extension kit. The London event today was a fabulous day and both my colleague and I were super impressed with the event. CSG did not win but yet again had a fantastic time and have made so much progress with their knowledge of the kit and been had a great time preparing for today as well as on the day.” CSG School
“Thanks so much for accommodating us yesterday it was a really special experience for our school – our first time ever competing in something like this, as we didn’t make a regional final last year. For our students coming to somewhere out of their comfort zone and engaging in all of the activities as well as they did, was a huge acheivement and we are super proud of them. They bought their speed challenge trophy back with pride.” Caroline Maston – Science Teacher – Lighthouse School Leeds
Huge thanks to the venues that hosted the competition heats throughout the whole process.
Salesforce Tower
Greater Brighton Metropolitan College
Farnborough College of Technology
Renishaw plc (Bristol)
Mid Kent College Gillingham
RAF Honington
RAF Hendon Museum
Petroc Mid Devon
RAF St Mawgan
RAF Scampton
Richard Taunton Sixth Form
Nissan/Gateshead College Skills Academy
Warwick Trident College
NCHSR Doncaster
RAF Cosford Museum
Rolls-Royce Learning and Development Centre
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