More than 100 pupils from 16 schools across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire went head-to-head in a high-octane robotics event at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). 

Now in its fifth year, the annual VEX Robot Challenge doubled its capacity to run across two action-packed days, with the youngsters putting upgraded robots through their paces on a series of custom-built obstacle courses.

The expansion was funded by the AMRC’s prize fund from the prestigious Bhattacharyya Award, celebrating the UK’s most impactful industry-academia collaborations, which  recognised the AMRC’s long-standing partnership with Boeing.

"Allocating our Bhattacharyya Award fund to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives was a natural choice," said Ben Morgan, chief executive officer of the AMRC. 

“We are committed to inspiring young people across South Yorkshire and equipping them for the high-value careers of tomorrow. Investing in the workforce of the future starts now, and we are incredibly proud to help expand that reach and impact.”

Scaling up STEM Impact

The funding enabled the AMRC to purchase new VEX robot kits and upgrade existing equipment, meaning twice as many schools could join the fun.

Cathie Barker, STEM coordinator for the AMRC, added: "We’ve had a lot of new schools reach out to us this year who haven’t been before, so it’s amazing to see the impact we’re having. The students attending are already showing a keen interest in STEM.

“It was amazing to be allocated funding from the Bhattacharyya Award, giving us additional means to upgrade our robotics kit and reach more young people who are thinking about STEM as a potential education pathway and career.” 

The event was fuelled by a dedicated band of volunteers from both the AMRC and the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre. A true team effort, the AMRC’s design and prototyping group created the winners' trophies and event infrastructure in-house thanks to Peter Oates, senior design and development engineer, Tom Sanderson, manufacturing engineer and Lee Moore, workshop manager. 

The champions

After two days of intense competition, the leaderboards were settled:

Day one: 

• Overall winner: Thurcroft Junior Academy, Rotherham. 
• Excellence award: Herringthorpe Junior School, Rotherham. 
• Resilience award: Swinton Queen Primary School, Rotherham. 

Thurcroft Junior Academy in Rotherham were victorious on day one. 

Day two:

• Overall winner: Thrybergh Fullerton CoE School, Rotherham.
• Excellence award: Brockwell Juniors, Chesterfield. 
• Resilience Award: Maltby Manor Academy, Rotherham. 

Thrybergh Fullerton CoE School in Rotherham took the winners crown on challenge day two.  

Next generation engineering talent

The real success of the day was measured in the excitement of the students and teachers experiencing a taster into engineering first-hand.

"It’s been lots of fun taking part and I’m feeling very proud that I was chosen to be here and represent my school,” said Aidan, a year four pupil at Rockingham Junior Infants School in Rotherham. 

Mia, a year six student from Bank End Primary Academy, Barnsley, said she enjoyed meeting new people, talking to others and ‘just playing my part in joining in the robot challenges’, adding: “It’s been great getting to go somewhere new and do something different to our usual everyday learning.”

This engineering outreach is already inspiring interest in STEM back in the classroom. Danny Mitchell, year six curriculum lead at Bank End Primary Academy, Barnsley, noted the impact the day has already had on the participants: “The kids have absolutely loved the robots. 

“The AMRC makes engineering fun; it’s hooked them and got them so excited. It’s something so different from what we get to teach in school. We’re already planning to come back next year, and the children have even asked us to set up an after-school robotics club.” 

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