Mossman State School students make mark in robotics at National Championships

SUCCESS STORY

Jamie Jansen

Journalist

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Mossman State School, led by Teacher Jake Pendlebury, secured 4th place at the VEX National Championships in Adelaide. Picture: Mossman State School

In a world where robots are becoming the new ‘cool kids’ on the block, three students from Mossman State School showed off their mechanical prowess at the recent VEX Robotics National Championships in Adelaide, securing an impressive 4th position among over 40 competing teams.

The Mossman State School team qualified for the national stage after clinching the Excellence Award at a regional competition in Cairns in 2022.

Over the past six months, preparations for the national championships involved meticulous planning and design, with students crafting and refining their robot to meet the competition's challenges. 

Jake Pendlebury, the team mentor, explained that students worked on a robot that efficiently manoeuvred to pick up blocks of various sizes and deposit them into designated goals.

Ava, Emily, and Amanda formed the team for the National Championships. Emily shared her favourite part, highlighting the camaraderie with other VEX teams and the opportunity to observe and learn from their skills.

Mr Pendlebury launched the VEX Robotics Program at Mossman State School a couple years ago, which quickly integrated into the curriculum due to its success.

“We started with a basic robot and qualified for the national competition in 2022. Recognising its benefits, we secured funding for robotics kits, leading to three consecutive national qualifications," he explained.

His infectious enthusiasm has been instrumental in captivating student interest. “It's a great STEM gateway. The program offers fun in operating the robot, challenges in building and engineering, and complexity in coding,” he noted.

“I believe what attracts students to it is a combination of factors. Firstly, everyone enjoys operating the robot, as driving it is undeniably fun. However, there’s also a significant appeal in the building and engineering aspect. Designing the robot, determining its appearance, and figuring out how to construct it are engaging challenges.”

Despite Mr Pendlebury’s recent relocation to Adelaide, the robotics program at Mossman State School will continue under the leadership of teacher Sian McLeod. With ambitious plans in place, Ms McLeod is poised to elevate the robotics program to new heights within the school.

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