Budget robot romps to victory (From Warrington Guardian)

Great Sankey High School students budget robot romps to victory

1:00pm Thursday 12th April 2012 in News

STUDENTS at Great Sankey High School could be jetting off to California after winning the national robot championships.

The team is now looking for funding to represent the UK in the world championships in America.

Teacher Lee Welsh said: “The students were fantastic. They had to use skill and ingenuity to overcome the competition and win the final.

“Full marks go to our team as most of the teams in the competition had sponsorship and our robot was built on a budget. We are now looking for sponsors to help us win again next year and compete in the world championships.”

More than 120 students from around the country competed in the first UK VEX robot national championships in Birmingham which tested their scientific and technological knowledge.

The competition included 23 teams battling to outscore each other over two days in the game Gateway, which was developed by educational robot company Innovation First Inc.

Heather Corbett, marketing manager for Innovation First, said: “We are thrilled that a Warrington team was named the first ever UK champion.

“The students worked incredibly hard to create a robot that was able to defeat teams from all over the country.

“VEX competitions are a great way for students to learn valuable teamwork, leadership and problem solving skills and we hope the competitions will engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.”