Cambridge Science Centre hosts FIRST Tech robotics challenge fun

Cambridge Science Centre welcomed contestants, organisers and volunteers to FIRST Tech Challenge’s regional youth robotics tournament.

Over two days, 19 teams from schools and youth organisations across the East of England showcased their engineering and coding skills as they competed for industry-judged awards that celebrate innovation, design, community outreach and more.

The teams gathered at the centre on Cambridge Science Park and set about getting their robots up and running. The contenders had been working on their designs since last September, said Vicki Mileson, comms and content officer at organisers FIRST UK.

“It’s our first time at Cambridge Science Centre,” said Vicki at the crowded venue on day two. “The teams all get the same equipment with 1,400 parts, pus a control unit and a driver station which is the brains of the robot. We encourage them to innovate – some of the robots have been built using 3D printed parts.

“On the day there’s a game to play, so their robots have to pick up pieces and move them around.”

There were both mechanical requirements to the model – a moving metal box with a crane – and in terms of software. The robots were all functionally elegant, pared down and ready for the pickup challenge.

Patrice John Baptiste, FIRST UK head of impact and engagement, noted that the event was supported by “30 volunteers from local companies” including Arm, the event’s sponsor.

One of the volunteers was Keanu Czirjak, a software engineer degree apprentice at Arm and an alumnus of the challenge, which began in the US in the 1980s and arrived in the UK in 2018.

“Arm is passionate about encouraging young people to explore careers in STEM,” said Keanu, “including through its ongoing support of FIRST UK here in Cambridge.

“Having previously competed myself, and now as an apprentice working at Arm, I know first-hand how initiatives like this can inspire a love of robotics and technology.

“I volunteered as I wanted other students to experience the same joy and enthusiasm I had when competing years ago, and it was a pleasure to witness the innovation, teamwork and professionalism shown by all of the teams involved.”

The day one (25 February) Cambridge winners were:

- Team Cipher from Trumpington Community College – the ‘Inspire’ award winner. The Inspire award celebrates not only engineering skill, but also the STEM outreach the winners do in their community.

- Team Xtreme, also from Trumpington Community College – the judge’s winner.

Both day two winners were from Alconbury Middle High School:

- Yellow Dragons – the ‘Think’ award winner; and

- Green Dragons – the ‘Design’ award winner.

Cambridge Maths School won the ‘Inspire’ award, which also qualifies them for a spot at the UK Championship in June. Likewise, The Robodeers from Hinchingbrooke School, who won the ‘Design’ award on day one.

On progressing to the UK Championships final in June, a team member from Cambridge Maths School, Sadhbh, said: “We’re incredibly excited. It’s a great opportunity and it was really fun. We’d love to continue. It’s a bit scary to be representing Cambridge to the rest of the UK but I think it will be fun.”

“It’s been fun,” Vicki said of the frenetic activity at the centre. “From today it goes to the national final with 48 UK teams in total and 16 international teams, including from Turkey, Japan, Romania and the Netherlands.”