Gateshead primary school pupils head to USA to compete in prestigious STEM competition
A group of Gateshead pupils are preparing for the biggest trip of their lives - after winning a national STEM competition.
A group of Gateshead pupils are preparing for the biggest trip of their lives - after winning a national STEM competition.
5 pupils at Wardley Primary, and 4 from Bill Quay Primary will be making the trip, to compete in the VEX Robotics World Finals in Dallas, Texas.
All 9 are between the ages of 9 and 11 years old, and each team had to design, build and programme their own robot, which then takes part in a series of games and challenges.
The team from Wardley had a tricky start to the National competition earlier this month, with a series of mishaps, including another team dropping their robot on theirs and damaging part of it, and by lunchtime on the first day the team was 18th out of 20 schools competing.
But after lunch, and time to clear their heads, the team was able to recode the robot - and they ended the day in 10th position.
After a nail biting day 2 and a closely judged final, they finished in first place.
Along with fellow Gateshead school - Bill Quay - who were also one of the top teams in the competition - they will head to Dallas, Texas next month, for the World Finals at the start of May.
VEX Robotics is an international programme that provides children with open-ended robotics challenges that enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills.
The Wardley team is made up of; Iona, Poppy, James, Leonidas and Isla, along with support from teachers Mr Burfield and Mr Wildman.
The Bill Quay team is made up of; Francesca, Olivia, Oliver and Lucy, with support from their teacher Mrs Dye.