VEX IQ Robot Competition
Wednesday 16th May. NEC Birmingham
Since winning their qualification from the regional VEX IQ robot competition both our teams have been high on enthusiasm and working hard on improving their robots, often coming early to school at 8:15 in addition to staying back until 4:30 on Friday nights.
On Wednesday 16th March our two teams set off from a dark, dank and cold school at 6am to travel to the renowned annual Big Bang Fair at the NEC in Birmingham to compete in the UK National final competition of the VEX IQ competition. The competition brought together the best 40 teams from throughout the UK, vying for a place in the world finals in Kentucky USA. After a rousing opening ceremony led by company president Paul Copioli, it was down to business.
The students first took part in the individual challenge with SHS T1 (Euan Hull, Henry Hampshire, James Ward) finishing in second place with an impressive show of driving skills and looking promising for the rest of the day, SHS T2 (Charlie Toone, Daniel Toone, Robert Arnold & Tom Shaw) underwent a rapid rebuild after an unfortunate driving accident which resulted in their robot been smashed into 20 pieces after falling from the competition field only a few hours beforehand. A resulting couple of technical teething problems scuppered their chances during the competition, finishing just outside the top 10. The judges then dropped a bomb shell that SHS T1 had been disqualified for a technical infringement – which was overturned upon our appeal – but unfortunately by then the judges had registered their final decision and SHS T1 finished outside the top 10 as well.
Onto the qualification for the alliance competition where 2 teams work cooperatively, with both teams registering the combined total score. After 7 frantic team battles between the 40 teams SHS T1 finished just outside the places to qualify for the finals despite some heroic driving demonstrations. With their technical problems resolved SHS T2 performed better in the alliance completion and qualified for the finals matches thanks to Charlie and Tom recording one of the day’s highest scores.
In the alliance finals, SHS T2, received a poor draw starting in 10th and last place – but performed outstandingly well delivering a score of 57 points. The higher drawn teams came and went – and with 2 teams to compete we were still in 1st place, however at the end of the day we were placed a very credible third, only 2 points behind the eventual winners.
Selected quotes from our students:
“Amazing experience and a great day”, “great team spirit fighting to the end”, “the best day of school, ever”, “we were robbed”
Selby High School would like to thank all students for working so hard and their exemplary attitude during the whole competition, Mrs Cobb and Mr Martin for their support and VEX IQ for organising a fantastic event.
