A group of keen and dedicated year 8 and 9 pupils have been participating in the First Tech robotics challenge. The challenge: to build and program a robot that will shoot balls into a basketball style goal. This is still a work in progress.

As part of the challenge, the group went to BAE Systems for a Scrimmage Day. They had a tour round the BAE site, looking at some of the radar equipment they build. The pupils also took part in some workshops to see how BAE employees work, and especially the importance of teamwork, communication and collaboration. During the afternoon, the group got to meet the current First Tech national champions, and received some valuable hints, tips and advice on their robot build. They also got some help from a robotics expert to move the robot build forward.

The next part of the challenge is to complete the robot build and take part in the competition day which will happen in mid-June.

The pupils involved in the challenge are: Rhys, Ben, Malakai, Tehya, Lydia, Lucas, Taylen, Fraser, Freddie, Arthur and Amber. Supporting the team are Miss Whitchurch and Mr Gray. We have also had invaluable support from Kevin Snary, a software engineer from BAE systems, who has been helping our group with programming the robot. And more recently, we have also had the support of David Collyer, a systems engineer from BAE.