Engineers of the Future?

On Saturday 24th January, a group of ten Y5 and 6 pupils from the Manor C of E Primary School met with a similar group of children from St Michael's CE Primary in Winterbourne to embark on a coach journey to Loughborough University. Both schools had entered teams in the First Lego League 'Climate Connections' Championship and progressed to the national final of the competition. 500 teams had been whittled down to just 24 through regional contests; 'The Electromasters' from St Michael's and 'The Mighty Manor' now had to compete against teams from across the country.

The teams are awarded points in each of four categories and the highest scoring team overall progress to the next round. The four categories, based on a current global issue (this year climate change) were:

• A research project and presentation of the findings & possible solution
• Team work
• Robot design
• Robot performance

The two teams who were the overall winners at Loughborough now proceed to the International final in America. Both were teams from secondary schools. However, the Mighty Manor were awarded a special judges' trophy for Technical Merit, about which the children were equally amazed and delighted!

The children were fantastic ambassadors for their respective South Gloucestershire Schools and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Well Done!

You can find more information about the robotics [and soon more photos] on www.firsthandtechnology.org.uk.