After a weekend in which Cork students pitted their robotic creations against one another, two schools have come out victorious in the EMC VEX Robotics finals, with the winners now heading to the US finals.
The EMC VEX Robotics finals was gearing up on Friday to be an event to offer a platform for future mechanical engineers and lovers of all things science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) related, and now the champions have been crowned.
The two schools declared the robotics winners on the day were primary school Scoil Eoin, Ballincollig and secondary school Davis College, Mallow, which were able to show their robots could perform a number of basic tasks with ease, such as them being able to manipulate objects, navigate obstacles and perform something akin to robotic shotput.
Kentucky fried robots
The two teams will now get the chance to head over to the VEX Worlds in Louisville, Kentucky where they will compete with other teams from around the world, with the event taking place in April.
Speaking of their schools’ wins, Gobnait Ní Nuanáin, principal of Scoil Eoin, said: “I am immensely proud of the tremendous work and commitment shown by the teachers and sixth class boys, to win four awards at this year’s VEX IQ National Finals, including the Overall Excellence Award. Scoil ar leith.”
Meanwhile, Denis Healy, principal of Davis College, Mallow, said: “Davis College and the team are delighted to win the Excellence Award. Knowledge of STEM subjects, like engineering and maths, is hugely important in today’s economy.
“After their experience with EMC VEX Robotics, we’re confident that our winning pupils will have a technical subject in mind when they choose their university courses in the next few years.”
Full list of winners
VEX IQ (primary):
Design: Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Girls, Bishopstown
STEM project: Gael Scoil Thomas Davis, Mallow
Robot skills: Scoil Eoin Ballincollig
Programming skills: Scoil Eoin Ballincollig
Sportsmanship: Walterstown NS, Cobh
Teamwork: Sunday’s Well & Scoil Eoin Ballincollig
Judges’ Award: Rockboro NS, Cork
Teacher Award: Margaret Daly, Scoil Mhuire Banrion GNS, Mayfield
Mentor Award: Liam Buckley, working with Scoil Cholmcille, Blarney Street & Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers
VEX EDR (secondary):
Design Award: Colaiste an Sprioraid Naoimh, Cork
Sportsmanship: CoderDojo CIT, Cork
Judges’ Award: St Coleman’s Community College, Midleton
Robot Skills: Davis College, Mallow
Programming Award: Coachford Community College, Cork
Tournament Winners: Colaiste Treasa, Kanturk & Nagle Community College, Mahon
