Robotics prowess puts Manjimup pupils top of the class

Manjimup Primary School took out the top spot at the inaugural inter-school VEX Robotics Competition last month. The local school was one of nine schools in the Warren-Blackwood district to take part in the program, with Northcliffe District High School and Greenbushes Primary School taking out second and third places. Held at Manjimup Primary School, the competition featured four robot-filled events, including a race, two building events and an obstacle course. Manjimup Primary School teacher Emma Davidson, who was the architect behind the competition, praised the students for their enthusiasm. “I think it’s fantastic that they want to be involved ... I want to say just a massive thank you for committing to this day and allowing your students to be involved in such a good program,” she said. Mrs Davidson spent every Friday of term one and the first couple of Fridays of term two travelling to schools as far north as Balingup and south as Northcliffe delivering the information day and robotics kit to the participating schools. Each school then selected four students from their Year 6 group, or the Year 5 and 6 group if needed, to build a robot of their choosing for the competition. The competition aimed to test their science, technology, engineering and maths skills while promoting problem-solving, teamwork and communication. Mrs Davidson said students thrived in the STEM-heavy environment. “I think it went really well and I’ve had quite a bit of positive feedback from the teachers and students,” she said. “I’m reading the feedback forms now and a lot of the kids said they loved working with another school.” Mrs Davidson said she hope to see the robotics program continue and the competition become an annual event.