Robotics team in national challenge

On Friday 4 December a very excited group of 7 students and 8 adults travelled to Sydney for the First Lego League National Tournament. Our Lego EV3 robot was carefully packed along with extra lego parts, posters, brochures, USB and laptops.

On Saturday morning we headed to Macquarie University with 44 other team. We received our schedule of judging sessions and spot in the Pit Area. The coaches attended the Coaches meeting and then we made our way to the Opening Ceremony. It was straight into the judging sessions after this.

We were the very first team to present our project so it was a bit daunting. The team handled it like true professionals and received very positive comments from the judges about the way they proposed to reduce waste by collected snap lock bags for recycling in playground equipment.

Next was Core Values judging where the team had to to solve a challenge which they did well. After this was Robot Design judging where the team explained the strategies developed for the Robot Challenge table. The students handled themselves brilliantly. Coaches (the adults) were not allowed to say a word. It was all about the students!

We had 3 rounds of robot challenges which mostly went to plan. The referees wore crazy hats and between rounds the students were encouraged to get up and dance!

The day finished with the Closing Ceremony and awards. Each student received a medal and high fives from every referee. A lot of high fives! Our team came away with so many ideas, so much experience and met students and coaches who encouraged them throughout the day. The team are excited to share their experience with other students in the Robotics Club. We have more competitions open to more teams in 2016!

Special thanks to our wonderful parents and guardians who came on the trip to support the team. Thanks to Leesa Baker and Craig Wright who drove our vans, Mrs Swan who supported the project and Liam Kinne who mentored the team in programming. We could not have made it to the Nationals without them!

A special thank you to the following sponsors for helping get our team to Sydney:

• Robotics Tasmania
• Maveric Builders
• Glenorchy City Council
• Premier, Will Hodgman MP

We could not have made it to the Nationals without them!

Mrs Selina Kinne - Director of Teaching and Learning K-10