Tullamore College students set for World VEX Robotics finals

Three Tullamore College students are heading to the USA for the World Finals of the Vex Robotics Championships this weekend.

Having won the All-Ireland final earlier this year, the VEX IQ Junior Robotics team members, Diarmuid Eager, Fionn Thomas and Robert Gorman will represent Ireland in St. Louis, Missouri.

Since the All-Ireland final in Cork in February, the team has been working hard to further develop the robot in preparation for the World Finals.

They are pleased with their fine tuning and are confident that the robot which they named ‘Bumblebee’ is ready to compete strongly for Ireland. The three boys are part of vibrant Coding and Robotics Club which is run by their teacher, Mr Dominic Goodings. The club has won numerous regional and national honours in both the Vex and Lego League competitions.

Tullamore College Principal Mr Edward McEvoy said: “We are very proud of the team’s achievement and will be cheering them on in the final in Missouri. They are lucky to have such an enthusiastic and inspiring teacher as Dominic. His work epitomises the best in discovery learning which is fun and engaging. His encouragement has enabled so many students to achieve excellence.”

Mr McEvoy also voiced the school’s gratitude to public bodies (LOETB, Offaly County Council) the voluntary bodies (Tullamore Lions Club, Tullamore Rotary Club), companies (The School Food Company, LB Dairy Services, Palfinger, Rose Finlay Pharmacy, Supermacs, NIS Rahan, Tullamore Credit Union, SEEC Ltd., O’Donoghues Bakery, OCM, Clonearl Finance) and all the families, colleagues, students and past students whose financial support made it possible for the team to go to America to represent their school, their county and the their country at the world finals.