Offaly hosts hugely successful third VEX Robotics Championships
Image 1 of 6
The overall Excellence Award at post-primary level was won by a group of students from Colaiste Iosagain, Portarlington, on the Laois/Offaly border, who were presented with their prize by Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Declan Harvey. Paul MooreImage 2 of 6
Students from Lusmagh National School accepted the Teamwork Champion Award. Paul MooreImage 3 of 6
A group of students from Tubber National School accepted their Overall Excellence Award in the primary competition from Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Declan Harvey. Paul MooreImage 4 of 6
The second team to be crowned at Tournament Champions in the post-primary section were from Colaiste Iosagain in Portarlington. Paul MooreImage 5 of 6
A group of students from Ard Scoil Chiarain in Clara were crowned as Tournament Champions in the post-primary section at the Offaly VEX Robotics Championships and they were presented with their prize by local Fianna Fail TD, Barry Cowen. Paul MooreImage 6 of 6
Students from Tubber National School accept their Robot Skills Champion award at the 2022 Offaly STEM VEX Robotics championships Paul MooreSome 1,500 students from 60 Offaly schools took part in the Offaly VEX Robotics Championships in O’Connor Park with Tubber NS emerging as overall winners in the primary school competition and Coláiste Íosagáin in Portarlington claiming the overall Excellence Award.
Students, with the support of their teachers, worked hard on building, designing and coding their robots since the beginning of the current academic year before entering the Robotics Championships.
As well as the competitive element of the Offaly event, students from all the participating schools got the chance to experience other STEM-related projects, including Microsoft Dream Space; StarDome Planetarium and a Virtual Reality gaming area.
Offaly County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service members spoke to students about how STEM supports their work, and the event also highlighted STEM activities from Offaly on a 25 sq. metre screen which was erected in O’Connor Park for the duration of the Robotics Championships.
Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney, said VEX Robotics is “just one of a number of exciting initiatives” that the local authority is supporting to drive STEM education, research and jobs.
“By getting involved, students develop teamwork, critical thinking, project management and communication skills required to prepare them to become the next generation of innovators and problem solvers” said Ms. Delaney, who added that the competition builds on Offaly’s “strong heritage in science and engineering” and provides the foundations for “future prosperity in the county.”
Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Declan Harvey, said the competition displayed each students “creativity and innovation” and he commended all the participating students and their teachers for all their work. “Teamwork and problem-solving were evident and it shows students that they can learn so many skills in an enjoyable and fun way” he added.
The Head of Information Systems/Broadband/Digital with Offaly County Council, Ray Bell, spoke of the council’s delight at being involved with the competition, and said it provides an environment where “curiosity, creativity and friendly competition” can flourish.
This is the council’s third year to organise the Vex Robotics Championships, which has been steadily growing in popularity with more schools than ever taking part this year.
“This in itself indicates the growing popularity of STEM activities among students in offaly and the realisation of opportunities for future careers in STEM” said Mr. Bell.
The winners of the Offaly STEM VEX Robotics 2022 Post Primary Competition were:
• Excellence Award - Coláiste Íosagáin Portarlington
• Tournament Champions Award (2 teams) - Ard Scoil Chiaráin Clara and Coláiste Íosagáin Portarlington
• Design Award – Sacred Heart School Tullamore
The Winners of the Offaly STEM VEX Robotics 2022 Primary Competition were:
• Excellence Award - Tubber National School
• Teamwork Champion Award (2 teams) – Tubber National School and Lusmagh National School.
• Robot Skills Champion Award – Tubber National School
• Programming Skills Challenge Award - Saint Mels Ardagh Co Longford.