🚧 NSCG | Pupils shoot for the stars with FIRST® LEGO® League regional…
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23rd January 2019

Students from across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire today put their robotic skills to the test in the annual FIRST® LEGO® League regional tournament hosted by Newcastle College.

17 teams including Alsager High School, Endon High School and Thomas Telford School took part in the ‘INTO ORBIT Challenge’ from the FIRST® LEGO® League for the chance to represent the region at the national finals later in the year.

Lego Into Orbit 82

The FIRST® LEGO® League gives students the opportunity to research, design and make prototype solutions to solve real world issues. Students experience working as an engineer over a period of several months as they prepare for their tournament. The competition is designed to inspire students to pursue STEM-based careers as well as building important life skills and practical, hands on experience that they can use throughout their studies and in the future.

Mandy Workman, FIRST® LEGO® League IET Education Manager, said: “Students who take part in FIRST® LEGO® League this year will experience engineering in action. The programme brings enjoyment to STEM subjects as the students get hands-on experience with robotics, and designing innovative solutions. Developing computer programming, teamwork, problem-solving and communication skills has never been so much fun!”

This year’s regional tournament saw teams Club Tropicana and END_TEC from Endon High School walk away as champions, having impressed the judges and will now take part in the UK and Ireland Final at the University of West of England (UWE). The top achieving teams at the national final will then get the opportunity to represent their country and the IET on a global stage, competing at International Championships.

Andy Snape, LEGO® Education Studio Manager at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) said: “We were delighted to once again support and be chosen to host the FIRST® LEGO® League tournament. The event showcased some incredible robot design, problem-solving techniques and excellent team spirit, with all the teams doing themselves and their schools proud on the day.”

NSCG has invested over £100,000 across its two sites, into purchasing brand new state-of-the-art LEGO® Education Studios and equipment, which aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and computer programmers.

LEGO® Education Innovation Studio sessions are available at both sites for primary and secondary school students every Thursday (Newcastle) and Friday (Stafford) during term time.

Regional Award Winners:

  • Robot Game Award: Club Tropicana, Endon High School
  • Project Award: Hollinsclough Robotics, Hollinsclough CE Academy
  • Core Values Award: Made In Madeley, Madeley High School
  • Best Newcomers Award: TTS Space Engineers, Thomas Telford School
  • Judges Award: Gerald's Angels, Fallibroome Academy
  • Judges Award: Team SJC, St Joseph's College
  • Best Tweet: Club Tropicana, Endon High School and Hollinsclough Robotics, Hollinsclough CE Academy