GMIT and Munster Technological University (MTU) will host the regional heat of the VEX Robotics Programme in the west of Ireland this academic year after receiving funding from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).
VEX Robotics is educational robotics for everyone. VEX solutions span all levels of both formal and informal education with accessible, scalable, and affordable solutions. Beyond science and engineering principles, VEX encourages creativity, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving among groups. It allows educators of all types to engage and inspire the STEM problem solvers of tomorrow!
Each year there is a new challenge where students must work as a team to design, build, programme and drive a robot. In addition to learning about STEM, children acquire other skills such as project management, presentation skills, teamwork, leadership, public relations and much more.
Dr Carine Gachon, GMIT Transcend Project Manager and VEX Project Coordinator, says: “This year, primary schools were invited to apply for a place and we were overwhelmed by the response we got. Unfortunately, we could only accommodate 16, but in the future we hope to expand the competition to more primary schools and also include secondary schools”
Jack Redmond, GMIT Connect Coordinator, adds: “Despite the small number of schools that we can accommodate this year, we are delighted to have good representation from DEIS and Girls’ schools which are usually underrepresented in the STEM initiatives.”
David Hodge, MTU VEX Robotics Coordinator, says: “MTU has been running the competition for 12 years and it has grown to 70 schools taking part every year.”
Professor Graham Heaslip, Head of the GMIT School of Engineering, says: “The VEX Robotics Competition challenges students to use a number of soft and hard STEM skills. The competition will enable students to comprehend how important it is to come up with several solutions when solving a problem, enhancing their creativity and problem-solving skills. Teamwork is also a key aspect of this competition.”
This week, primary school teachers were invited to GMIT to see the VEX Robotics kit they will receive in the next few weeks and learn more about this year challenge. The regional competition will take place in GMIT in January and promises to be a lot of fun. The winners will go on to represent the West of Ireland in the national competition in Cork. More info on Vex Robotics at Home – VEX Robotics.
Cormac MacDonncha, Integrated Supply Chain Leader Thermo King Europe, Middle East and Africa at Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT), and Chair of the GMIT Governing Body, says: “Encouraging boys and girls to engage in STEM at a young age is vital for our region and for Ireland if we are to stay competitive as a global economy. This engagement starts at a young age through initiatives such as the VEX Robotics challenge, and Thermo King are delighted to be supporting GMIT to host this initiative. . The initiative aligns with our global Sustainable Futures corporate citizenship strategy which aims to uplift under-represented students, introducing green and STEM curricula throughout students’ journeys and providing education and pathways to green and STEM careers. We very much look forward to seeing the competition entries.”
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