Laois County Council hosted its first Midlands Vex IQ Robotics Competition this month, with Emo National School playing host.
With six schools and ten teams, there was almost 100 children taking part in over 50 games on the day.
Students showcased their Robot build, their individual driving skills, team driving skills and their coding programs.
The schools that took part were Emo National School, Camross National School, Gaelscoil Shlí Dála Ballaghmore, Paddock National School, Scoil Eoin Phóil Naofa Ballyroan, and Cloneyhurke National School.
There are five categories in the awards section, with the winners as follows:
- Teamwork Award – Paddock NS and Scoil Eoin Phóil Naofa Ballyroan
- Skills Award – Scoil Eoin Phóil Naofa Ballyroan
- Design Award – Emo NS
- Judges Award – Camross NS
- Excellence Award – Scoil Eoin Phóil Naofa Ballyroan
Organiser and Co-Ordinator of the event, Antoinette Brennan, Broadband Officer at Laois County Council was delighted with the success of the event.
Ms Brennan complimented all students on their skills and knowledge of Block, Phyton and Coding and the understanding of the concept of building Robots to solve problems.
“This gives the student the opportunity to work in teams improve their communication skills and proudly represent their schools,” Ms Brennan said.
“The idea of the programme is for us and the schools to facilitate the programme but for the students to take the lead and come up with their own design and this was evident with ten different style Robots being used in the competition.
“This competition is aimed at 5th and 6th class students to prepare them for Computer Science and skill as the transition from primary into secondary schools.
“It is hoped that this education at an early stage will help students into a career of Computer Science, Maths and Science with a future to work in the midland region.:
Ms Brennan thanked all schools for their participation, their teachers for facilitating the programme with some schools working on this during their lunch time breaks.
She thanked Emo NS for facilitating the event as the facilities were excellent and it was also a proud day for them hosting the first ever Midlands Vex IQ Robotics Competition.
Ms Brennan also thanked Laois County Council for their support with this programme and her fellow work collogues for assisting on the day with invited guests participating in the award ceremony.
She congratulated all the prize winners on the day, however she emphasised all teams were winners and commended them for proudly representing their school.
The next Midland Competitions will be held in Tullamore on Wednesday, March 20 and Thursday 21, with a third date in April to be confirmed.
It is hoped to continue to roll out this programme in as many primary schools as possible over the next few years.
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