This week marked a big steppingstone for some Laois primary and secondary schools as three teams from each headed to Munster Technological University Cork for the VEX IQ Robotics National Finals.
It was a first for the county as these schools took part in the formal Robotics Education Competition for the first time. And they did not disappoint.
The Junior Cycle competition took place on Wednesday when all 12 schools from the Midlands Cluster (Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford) swept the board with awards, beating competing teams from around Ireland. READ MORE BELOW. Click NEXT for more images.
The Laois winners were: Dunamase College, Teamwork Challenge joint 2nd Place Award, Mountrath Community School, Sportsmanship Award and Coláiste Íosagáin Portarlington, Judges Award.
The overall winning team that will represent Ireland at the VEX IQ World Championships in this age category are Sacred Heart School, Tullamore.
Speaking of the event, Laois STEM Engagement Officer Seanie Morris noted the thrill each team member experienced as they took part.
“The excitement from all of the Laois students was palpable. They never thought they could make it past the regional finals and represent their county in an area of STEM such as robotics in the classroom. It is an amazing feeling to see them achieve so much in such a small space of time, showing great character as ambassadors for their school and becoming STEM role models for other students.”
Laois schools also collected awards in the Primary School Competition on Thursday.
With a higher number of teams taking part from all over Ireland, the chances of bringing home an award were tougher, but Laois schools did it again.
The Laois winners were:
Paddock NS and Pike of Rushall NS, joint 2nd Place in the Teamwork Challenge. Paddock NS won the Think Award while Pike of Rushall scooped the Judges Award.
Commiserations to Emo NS for a great series of performances on the day, too.
Laois Broadband Officer Antoinette Brennan spoke of the tension during the final matches that had Paddock and Rushall lined up for a trip to Texas.
“During the final matches, Paddock and Rushall set the score to beat with seven games to go out of 13. But right on the last game, with only seconds to go, it was snatched from them with a small margin advantage from the last two teams. In the end, our two schools took second place in the Teamwork Challenge, a very well-deserved achievement.”
To come so close to representing your country at a world finals and then see it slip away only added to the excitement and jubilation the three schools experienced at their first such event.
STEM outreach continues with more events in robotics, science, engineering and rockets in the coming weeks with Laois County Council.
Follow more on Laois’s STEM projects and outreach on social media with the following tips and tags: #EUinmyregion #vexrobotics #stemeducation #staycurious #EUJTF @MidlandsIreland @EUJTF_ie
The Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan “Pathway for Transition” is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027. This Project is an initiative of the Local Authorities of the Midlands region, comprising Laois (lead partner), Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.
