We're excited to share that STEM continues to be a highlight in our school, thanks to the ongoing roll-out of the VEX IQ Robotics programme. Recently, Laois STEM Engagement Officer Seanie Morris had the pleasure of visiting our Senior Class students at Rushall National School on Thursday, October 17th, where he introduced us to our new robot kit.
Under this fantastic VEX Robotics Programme, selected schools in Laois that have received the new kit—or already possess their 2023/24 kit—will be eligible to participate in this year's VEX IQ Robotics Schools Competitions. Laois Broadband Officer Antoinette Brennan, alongside Seanie Morris, will be on hand to help foster exploration in STEM through various exciting avenues. Students will engage in Scratch coding, the engineering, assembly, and testing of their robots, and an array of team-building activities.
Mark your calendars! The official Regional Finals are expected to take place in late January or early February, with the champions moving on to the National Finals in Cork at the end of February. The victorious teams will then get the incredible opportunity to represent Ireland at the World VEX Robotics Championships in Texas, USA.
To catch more about this year's VEX IQ Competition, don’t forget to check out this short video on YouTube. It's going to be an exciting year for STEM in our schools!
2025
After qualifying for the All Ireland Competition held in Cork, we were absolutely delighted with how the day unfolded for our team. It was a well-organised event, buzzing with energy, and while it was quick-paced and busy, the tension made it all the more thrilling. Our students competed incredibly well, and we couldn't be prouder of each and every one of them, especially since they came agonisingly close to taking home top honours.
With a record number of teams participating from across the country, the competition was tougher than ever. However, the schools from Laois demonstrated once again that they are a force to be reckoned with. The hard work and dedication of the students really shone through on the day.
We represented Laois exceptionally well, walking away with two accolades: Pike of Rushall NS and Paddock NS took joint 2nd place in the Teamwork Challenge, showcasing their brilliant collaborative skills. Moreover, Pike of Rushall NS also clinched the prestigious Judges Award thanks to their impressive Engineering Workbook and a stunning Video edited by the talented Grace O'C from 6th class.
Laois Broadband Officer Antoinette Brennan captured the excitement and tension during the final matches perfectly. “During the final matches, Paddock and Rushall set the score to beat with seven games remaining out of a total of 13. It was tense, and right at the death, with only seconds left on the clock, the victory was snatched away from them by a narrow margin from the last two teams. In the end, both of our schools secured second place in the Teamwork Challenge, which is a fantastic achievement.”
To come so close to representing our country at a world finals and then seeing that chance slip away only added to the thrill and jubilation experienced by our three schools at their first ever event of this kind. The memories created were priceless, and the camaraderie among the students was heartwarming.
Overall, the All Ireland Competition provided our students with invaluable experience and a taste of healthy competition. We are already looking forward to next year's event and are excited about potential new achievements for Laois schools. Hard work, determination, and a bit of luck – who knows what the future holds!
Winning the prestigious "Judges Award"
Rushall NS and Paddock NS took Joint 2nd place in the Teamwork Challenge