Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

North Highlands Team Headed For International Robot Challenge

26th March 2024

Photograph of North Highlands Team Headed For International Robot Challenge

NRS Dounreay and socio economic partners hosted the second FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge North Highland Tournament in March with local schools taking part.

The North Highland tournament took place in March at ETEC on the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) North West and Hebrides Thurso Campus. It was hosted by NRS Dounreay, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) North Highland and the UHI campus.

FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge is an international competition sponsored by the Institution of Engineering and Technology in the UK.

Eight local teams participated - 4 from Thurso High School, 2 from Noss Primary School and 1 each from Reay Primary School and Newton Park Primary School.

The teams designed, hand-built and programmed their robots over the winter, and prepared a presentation which they delivered to the judges.

Each team participated in 3 short robot games and presented to a panel of judges where they were judged on their robot design, innovation project and core values such as team work. They are also judged throughout the tournament and games on their ‘gracious professionalism'; their behaviours within their own team and towards other teams.

Newton Primary's ‘The Ten Lego-teers’ won the Champion’s Award, for the team that embodies the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge experience by fully embracing the core values while achieving excellence and innovation in robot performance, robot design, and the innovation project.

Marie Mackay, Employee Engagement Specialist at NRS Dounreay and one of the main organisers, said:

We were all so impressed by the pupils that participated in this year’s challenge, from their robot games through to their presentations. They were a credit to themselves and their schools as they demonstrated excellent team work and cheered on their opponents throughout their games.

The FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge is a big undertaking for the pupils, teachers and STEM ambassadors who support the teams; they have to be dedicated throughout the academic year to be in a position to compete however the pupils gain so much from it, not only STEM skills but the team working, presentation skills and personal development in general. NRS Dounreay working in partnership with DYW North Highland and UHI North West and Hebrides, is delighted to provide this opportunity to pupils in Caithness and North Sutherland.

Trudy Morris, CEO of Caithness Chamber of Commerce and DYW North Highland lead, added, "DYW North Highlands is delighted to once again support the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge. It’s a fantastic international event which takes place in over 110 counties worldwide.

The talented teams participating at this year’s event were exceptional and we were very impressed with everyone that took part. They had invested a huge amount of time and effort into preparation for the challenge, and this really shone through on the day.

FIRST® LEGO® League is inspiring young minds and helping them realise their potential and their power to build the future. Hands on learning experiences such as this are instrumental the long term for the development of our young people and their future prospects.

Opportunities like this not only foster confidence but also equip participants with invaluable real-world skills such as problem-solving and teamwork, essential for their personal growth.

The Ten Lego-teers will be competing in the FIRST® LEGO® League MASTERPIECE Great Britain National Final on 20 April in Harrogate.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Hundreds Of New Starters Begin Their Careers At SellafieldThumbnail for article : Hundreds Of New Starters Begin Their Careers At Sellafield
This year's cohort of apprentices and graduates will help drive forward work at the UK's largest and most complex nuclear site.   Up to 300 vocational and degree apprentices and 150 graduates are expected to join Sellafield Ltd in this year's intake.  
Which Rural Area Will Take The UKs Nuclear Waste?
A repeating tone - blip, blip, blip - is the audible reminder that we are in one of the most hazardous nuclear sites in the world: Sellafield.   That sound - pulsing from speakers inside the cavernous fuel-handling plant - is a signal that everything is functioning as it should.  
NDA Group Showcases Progress On SustainabilityThumbnail for article : NDA Group Showcases Progress On Sustainability
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group publishes overview of progress being made against sustainability goals.   The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group has today published an overview of progress being made against its sustainability goals.  
Civil Nuclear Constabulary - Dounreay Online Recruitment Workshop Thumbnail for article : Civil Nuclear Constabulary - Dounreay Online Recruitment Workshop
We are holding an online recruitment workshop for our Dounreay Operational Policing Unit.   You will have the opportunity to speak to our local recruitment team about any queries/concerns you may have.  
Dounreay Nuclear Station Strike Postponed Following Improved Pay OfferThumbnail for article : Dounreay Nuclear Station Strike Postponed Following Improved Pay Offer
Strike action on Wednesday 19 June by around 600 Unite members suspended.   Strike action on Wednesday 19 June by around 600 Unite members employed by Nuclear Restoration Services Limited (NRS) at Dounreay nuclear power station has been suspended to allow workers to be balloted on a new pay offer.  
Corwm Visits Dounreay Nuclear SiteThumbnail for article : Corwm Visits Dounreay Nuclear Site
Members were given an overview of the scale of the problem and challenges faced in the decommissioning of the site.   In the last week of March 2024, several members of CoRWM led by the Chair, Sir Nigel Thrift, made the long journey up to the North of Scotland to visit the Dounreay nuclear site, now managed by Nuclear Restoration Services.  
Dounreay Bosses Accused As Workers Strike At Nuclear Site TodayThumbnail for article : Dounreay Bosses Accused As Workers Strike At Nuclear Site Today
Bosses at Dounreay have driven workers to strike after hiding behind civil service pay rules, according to GMB Scotland.   Workers at the nuclear complex are on strike today after overwhelmingly rejecting a revised pay offer and backing industrial action.  
Dounreay Workers Vote To Strike Over PayThumbnail for article : Dounreay Workers Vote To Strike Over Pay
Workers at the Dounreay nuclear power complex in Caithness have voted to strike in a dispute over pay.   The GMB union said its ballot had an 85% turnout.  
Gad Develops Bespoke Benefits Modeller As Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Reforms Pension BenefitsThumbnail for article : Gad Develops Bespoke Benefits Modeller As Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Reforms Pension Benefits
GAD has built a pension benefit modeller to support the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as it undertakes a pension reform programme.   The Government Actuary's Department (GAD) has supported the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) as it undertakes a pension reform programme.  
Dounreay Power Station Faces Threat Of Strike ActionThumbnail for article : Dounreay Power Station Faces Threat Of Strike Action
Unite the union confirmed around 450 of its members employed by Magnox Limited based at Dounreay power station are being balloted for strike action in a pay dispute.   The ballot which is now open will close on 2 April.