Published at 15:52, Wednesday, 26 May 2010

RHYTHMIC robots took to the dancefloor this month as part of a science and engineering event that saw Sellafield taken over by the mechanical movers.

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The Robotics Day, funded by Aimhigher Cumbria and supported by Sellafield, Cumbria STEM Centre, and Babcock, saw around 80 students from junior schools and secondary schools from across West Cumbria.

The challenge, held over two days from May 6 to 7, gave students the chance to get to grips with all things mechanical and build a robot that could dance to a chosen track of music.

Sellafield’s learning and development centre became a hub for the bionic boogiers as teams of students designed, built and tested their creations.

Pauline Farrell, education and community relations for Sellafield, said: “The Robotic Days have been really successful – there were a total of 36 pupils from Gosforth, Holme St Cuthbert, Seaton and Ashfield junior schools on Thursday and 40 students from St Benedict’s, Southfield and Cockermouth secondary schools on Friday.

“The challenge was for the students to use the robotic buggy kits and computers to design, build, program and test the robots to music chosen by themselves.

“In addition to that we had a flight simulator here, a remote manipulator handling arm from the team at Babcock, and the very popular Oscar the robot supplied by Genesis Promotions.

“Sellafield’s STEM ambassadors were lending a hand and working with the students to help them with their task. It also offered a chance for the students to talk to professionals working in mechanical and engineering industries to get an insight into their roles.”

Pauline said the aim of the event was to allow young people the opportunity to develop skills including programming, construction and team-building, while engaging in hands-on activities.

She added: “The groups of students were judged on a range of criteria from programming to entertainment value by a panel of four judges who each represented the companies involved in the event. The prizes were supplied by Sellafield, Babcock and Cumbria STEM Centre.

“All the skills they have to use during the day is covered in the building, design and technology, and IT curriculum. The event is a regular one for us but this year’s has been particularly successful.”

Cockermouth School student Catrin Walker, 13, said: “It’s been quite challenging building the robots from scratch but we’ve had a bit of help from the ambassadors. It has fit into what we learn at school but obviously this has been a good opportunity for us to build something and have the space to test it out.”

Fellow student Nicole Saenchan, 13, said: “I would definitely do something like this again if I had the chance. We’ve been able to develop a host of new skills and techniques such as problem-solving and team work.”

Southfield School science teacher, Peter White, said: “It’s the first time we have been to something like this and my year eight group have found it fantastic.

“The challenge has meant they’ve have been able to work as a team to problem solve and build a dancing robots. Obviously as a school with a technology specialism, events like these are significant for us and we have been able to work it into our curriculum.”

Mhairi Taylor, 13, a student at Southfield School, said: “We’ve learned about motors and friction as part of the task but most of all we’ve had to learn to work as a team to build the best robot.

“Ours didn’t do so well in the final and we had balance problems but it’s been really fun and working with the ambassadors and even Oscar the robot has been brilliant.”

Mr Peck, maths teacher at St Benedict’s School, Whitehaven, works to link maths and technology engagement within the school. He said the event has given students the chance to work as a team.

“They have been very enthusiastic about the day and the task – there has been a good cross-section of skills for them to develop and build on.

“We have a mix of both boys and girls here, with the majority being girls which is encouraging when it comes to raising awareness of STEM careers with girls.

“The fact the students have been working with the ambassadors has also proved very beneficial to the students. I have arranged for some of them to come into school and talk to our students about their role as professionals in the engineering industry.”

St Benedict’s student, Liam Connor, 14, said: “Today has been excellent – it’s been really good for us to be out of school and able to spend a full day learning about something rather than just an hour like we would be in lesson.“I love anything to do with building and engineering, so the Robotics Day was right up my street. I’ve really enjoyed being able to work with my mates on a project and find out what we’re all good at when it comes to building something that has to dance to music.”

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk