Students steer robots to cup victory

Horsham Holy Trinity Lutheran College students tasted success at a regional Robocup Junior Australia competition in Ballarat.

The college sent a group of year six and year eight students to the competition, a project-oriented educational program based on robotics.

Teacher Adam Engert said the Lutheran school students won both categories they entered. “It was a great result,” he said. “The students have spent the year preparing for the competition, where they were required to design, code and test robots to navigate various obstacle courses while moving a target object or play robot soccer against other schools using an infrared ball and sensor.

“Throughout the day, our students improved their designs during the competition and were commended for assisting and supporting other school teams.”

Mr Engert said organisers were looking to host a western region robotics competition in Horsham in 2019, which would also involve other Wimmera schools.

Principal Daniel Weller said the college worked hard to ensure its students were equipped with STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – skills to be competitive for future pathways.

“Digital technologies are integrated into our learning and teaching,” he said.

“We are always introducing new learning experiences that focus on creative and critical thinking; focusing on the learning that will support a collaborative 21st century thinker.”

Mr Weller said the college was continuing to develop its STEM programs.

“This year we have been able to offer new courses across the college, in the junior, middle and senior schools,” he said.

“Alongside learning in the classroom, we have a STEM Club that provides students with a fun and innovative way to ignite their learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects.

“The club provides students with alternative, hands-on learning activities to explore problem solving, electronics, programming, design and construction, and robotics.”