State champs WaveSTORM claim Geraldton regional of the FIRST Lego League comp

A young robotics team have taken out the Geraldton regional of the FIRST Lego League competition as they look to follow up from last year’s State champs win.

Sponsored by the Midwest Ports Authority, Saturday’s competition featured teams from Champion Bay Senior High School, Dongara District High School and Mt Tarcoola Primary School.

However it was the team of home-schooled youngsters and current state champions, WaveSTORM, who came out on top on the day.

Champion Bay Senior High School science, technology, engineering and mathematics co-ordinator Hollie Roberts organised the regional for the third consecutive year.

She said it was a fantastic day and the students “really put themselves out there in front of the judges”.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the kids to get into robotics. We really hope to see some more schools take it up in the future.”

Champion Bay students Charlie Archer and Oscar Weston won the Core Values trophy, while Ms Roberts won the Coaches Award.

STEM outreach coordinator at Curtin University, Tim Keely, said the competition improved educational outcomes for students and gave them greater autonomy over their learning.

He also highlighted the City of Albany’s decision to back the establishment of a FIRST Lego competition in the Great Southern area through their partnership with Rio Tinto.

“It would be a very wise investment for local Geraldton organisations to back it,” he said.