Freyberg boys to take robots to Dallas

MURRAY WILSON/Manawatu Standard

MAKING MACHINES: It's not the traditional way to learn maths and science but it's a lot more fun for these Freyberg High School students who used their skills to win the regional Vex robot finals, earning the chance to go to the world championships in Dallas, America.

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These robots can't mix you a cocktail or do the housework, but they can strategically outwit competitors to guarantee you an invitation to Dallas, Texas.

Palmerston North Freyberg High School students won the the Massey University Vex Robotics regional finals in Wellington at the weekend, the first time the competition has included local schools, after building, programming and manoeuvring robots that look like Transformers meets R2D2.

The box-shaped robots had to compete against other robots to scoop as many balls as they could out of a fenced-off area.

The team whose robot cleared out the most balls won.

The win guaranteed the Freyberg team a place in the Vex World Championships on April 23 – leaving them only one month to scrape together enough money to get there.

Head of science Mari Borthwick said it would cost at least $3000 per student, a cost she thinks is worth it. "The students get a lot out of this. It teaches them physics, strategy, business skills, teamwork.

"We're on the lookout for a sponsor to help get them there."

The team's robot programmer, Jacques Du Plessis, performed well under the pressure of the regionals so is keen to see how the robot would stack up against others from around the world.

The robots are controlled via laptops through a wireless connection, except for the first 20 seconds, when they are programmed to run by themselves. Extra points are scored by how successful the robot is when functioning solo.

The 18-year-old was up for hours the night before the competition, measuring out with string the exact co-ordinates the robot would need to take to collect the balls.

Across town, Palmerston North Boys' High School students are having the same problem with funding.

The team has also qualified for the world champs through winning the prestigious excellence award for their dedication, top teamwork and consistency through the season.

The teams have been competing monthly since September.

The Vex Robotics competitions, which started in the United States, have been gathering momentum in New Zealand since being launched in 2008. The competition promotes education and skills in technology, science, engineering and mathematics, as well as critical life skills such as teamwork, project management and problem solving.

- © Fairfax NZ News