Caithness school teams show robot skills in Lego-building challenge
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Teams from Caithness schools came up with hand-built robots in a Lego competition – and one group of pupils will be going forward to next month's national final.
The First Lego League Challenge North Highland, the second tournament of its kind, took place in the Engineering, Technology and Energy Centre (ETEC) on the UHI North, West and Hebrides campus in Thurso.
First Lego League is an international competition sponsored in the UK by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. It introduces science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) to children aged four to 16 in a fun way.
Eight local teams took part – four from Thurso High School, two from Noss Primary School and one each from Reay and Newton Park primaries.
The teams designed, hand-built and programmed their robots over the winter and prepared a presentation which they delivered to the judges.
Each team participated in three short robot games and presented to a panel of judges. They were judged on their robot design, innovation project and core values such as teamwork.
They are also judged throughout the tournament and games on their “gracious professionalism”, as well as their behaviour within their own team and towards other teams.
The tournament was hosted by NRS Dounreay, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) North Highland and UHI North, West and Hebrides, with Highland councillor Willie Mackay as compere. There were two judging panels and a number of referees.
Newton primary’s Ten Lego-teers won the Champions’ Award, for the team that embodies the First Lego League Challenge experience by fully embracing the core values while achieving excellence and innovation in robot performance, robot design and the innovation project.
Marie Mackay, employee engagement specialist at Dounreay and one of the main organisers, said: “We were all so impressed by the pupils that participated in this year’s challenge, from their robot games through to their presentations. They were a credit to themselves and their schools as they demonstrated excellent teamwork and cheered on their opponents throughout their games.
“The First Lego League Challenge is a big undertaking for the pupils, teachers and STEM ambassadors who support the teams. They have to be dedicated throughout the academic year to be in a position to compete.
"However, the pupils gain so much from it – not only STEM skills but the teamworking, presentation skills and personal development in general. NRS Dounreay, working in partnership with DYW North Highland and UHI North, West and Hebrides, is delighted to provide this opportunity to pupils in Caithness and north Sutherland.”
Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce and DYW North Highland lead, said: “DYW North Highland is delighted to once again support the First Lego League Challenge. It’s a fantastic international event.
“The talented teams participating this year were exceptional and we were very impressed with everyone that took part. They had invested a huge amount of time and effort into preparation for the challenge, and this really shone through on the day.
“First Lego League is inspiring young minds and helping them realise their potential and their power to build the future. Hands-on learning experiences such as this are instrumental in the long term for the development of our young people and their future prospects.
“Opportunities like this not only foster confidence but also equip participants with invaluable real-world skills such as problem-solving and teamwork, essential for their personal growth.”
The Ten Lego-teers will be competing in the First Lego League Masterpiece Great Britain national final on April 20 in Harrogate.
