Students battle it out to test themselves in robotics competition

A Dardanup Primary School classroom block was transformed into a robot battleground on Tuesday for the annual Collie-Preston Schools Network VEX Robotics competition.

Eight schools from around the Collie-Preston electorate converged on Dardanup for the event which has been designed to test students’ team work, problem solving and ingenuity.

Year 5 and 6 students from Allanson Primary, Amaroo Primary, Boyanup Primary, Dalyellup Primary, Dardanup Primary, Tuart Forrest Primary, Wilson Park Primary and Donnybrook District High School took part in the event.

Organised and run by Tuart Forest deputy principal Andrew Bilsby, the event localised the VEX Robotics Program, an international initiative established to immerse students in the STEM field and nurture possible future careers.

“It’s a way for students to engage in STEM work in a fun way,” Mr Bilsby said.

“They’re learning about scientific and mechanical principles while making these robots, learning what makes them go faster or lifting heavier objects in the context of a competition environment.”

This was the second time in as many years Dardanup Primary School had hosted the event due to its central location with the other schools that took part.

Dardanup primary deputy principal Malena Cahill said she and principal Darryl Owen were happy to continue hosting the event in years to come, citing it was great for students from different areas to mingle.

“When the kids from the bigger schools come here, it’s good for them to see a small school environment and it’s great for our students to host the bigger schools,” she said.

“It’s been great having them all come here.”