Primary Pupils Prepare for World Robotics Championships
Children from a primary school in Aberdeenshire are preparing to take their robot design to compete in the world championships in the United States.
The five pupils, aged 10 and 11, from Strichen Primary were crowned UK champions in February, securing their place at the international finals in Missouri next month.
Within days of their victory, the local community rallied to raise the necessary funds to enable Emma, Orla, Maeve, Lenny, and Brodie to attend the prestigious competition.
One villager, impressed by their achievement, contacted the BBC through Your Voice to highlight their success.
Teamwork in the Afterschool Robotics Club
The children are members of the afterschool robotics club, which has been running for three years. They have collaborated to design, build, code, and operate their robot.
They will compete in the VEX Robotics World Championships in St Louis.
Each pupil has a specific role within the team.
Lenny said: "I'm the driver that drives the robot so we can get as much points as we can."
Maeve, the manager, explained: "The manager makes sure everyone has a job and everyone feels included."
Builder and driver Brodie said: "We've adapted and changed our robot to make it work for us."
Emma told BBC Scotland News: "I'm the designer. I do the booklet and ask everybody what they've done."
Orla, the coder, added: "The coder codes the robot so that it moves itself in the autonomous coding round."
Fundraising Efforts and Community Support
After winning top spot at the UK round, the team needed to raise funds to travel to St Louis.
The target was £17,500 to cover flights, accommodation, and expenses for the three-day competition.
Leah Gibb, the head teacher at Strichen School, said:
"It was a concern, how are we going to do this? Could we make it happen for the pupils?
But thanks to the school community, the local community, and wider community, we were overwhelmed by the support.
Within 48 hours they had topped their funding."
Team Name and Excitement for the Event
The team name, The Percy Pigs, was Orla's idea.
"My auntie's pig died in the month of thinking of the name," she said.
"So all I could think about was pigs so the first thing that came to my mind was Percy Pigs."
Maeve expressed her enthusiasm:
"I'm really excited. I've never been on a plane and I've also never been to America."
Emma added:
"I'm just looking forward to meeting all the teams and being there because it will be a great experience."
Brodie said:
"I'm excited about communicating and playing with other teams, and trying to set a new record for our points."
Coaches and Organisers Reflect on the Journey
The afterschool club is led by teacher Lorraine Rennie, PSA Jack Donaldson, and parent helper Dave Gilmore.
Lorraine described the current mood as "really excited" and said they were all delighted.
Jack commented:
"We're just incredibly proud of them. They've worked so hard all year. For the team to get to the worlds in America is just beyond our wildest dreams."
The VEX Robotics World Championships will take place at the end of April.
Until then, the team will continue perfecting their robot with hopes of bringing even more silverware back to Strichen.
