Cambourne Electronics & Robotics Club Clinches Championship
In an electrifying showcase of STEM prowess, Team CERC (Cambourne Electronics & Robotics Club) emerged victorious at the IET FIRST® LEGO® League Cambridge regional heat, held at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering on January 15, 2019. The team secured the prestigious FIRST® LEGO® League Champions’ Award, earning them a spot in the UK and Ireland final in Bristol on February 16, 2019.
Meet the Brilliant Minds of Team CERC
In the recent IET FIRST® LEGO® League Cambridge regional heat, Team CERC (Cambourne Electronics & Robotics Club) demonstrated exceptional STEM skills and innovation. Let’s shine the spotlight on the talented individuals who made this achievement possible:
Chinmayee (Stephen Perse Junior School)
Aashrita (The Vine Inter-church Primary School)
Sreenidhi (Hardwick and Cambourne Primary School)
Karolina (Hardwick and Cambourne Primary School)
Soham (Jeavons Wood’s Primary School)
Fintan (Jeavons Wood’s Primary School)
Aashvika (The Vine Inter-church Primary School)
Maya Acharya (Impington Village College)
Kabir (Cambourne Village College)
Piya (Cambourne Village College)
These bright minds from various schools showcased their dedication, teamwork, and innovation throughout the competition. Their achievements not only reflect their individual brilliance but also highlight the collaborative spirit of Team CERC.
Igniting STEM Passion
The tournament gathered almost 200 school children from across East Anglia to foster STEM interest among students aged 9 to 16. The FIRST® LEGO® League competition encompasses robotics-themed challenges, requiring teams to build and program an autonomous robot using a LEGO® Mindstorms® kit. The challenge comprises three components: the Robot Game, the Project, and the Core Values.
Robot Game Triumph: The Pizza Robot Takes the Lead
Teams programmed autonomous LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robots to complete missions and score points on a themed playing field. Cambridge’s standout performance, crowned “The Pizza Robot,” secured victory in the Robot Game, showcasing their programming skills and strategic thinking.
Solving Real-World Issues: The Project Award
The Project Award recognized the Swavesey Science Club from Swavesey Village College for their innovative approach to addressing physical or social problems humans face during long-duration space exploration.
Exemplifying Core Values: Shirley Community Primary School
Shirley Community Primary School clinched the Core Values award, demonstrating exceptional teamwork, enthusiasm, and collaboration throughout the tournament.
Best Newcomer: Trinity Titans Shine
Trinity Titans from Trinity School Sevenoaks received the Best Newcomer award, acknowledging their outstanding skill and dedication in their inaugural tournament appearance.
Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. Support
The tournament, hosted by the University of Cambridge and supported by Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., brought together industry experts to judge and mentor students. Bobby Seagull, renowned for his expertise in maths education, served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
Vijay Acharya’s Perspective
Vijay Acharya, Team Coach of CERC, expressed the team’s joy at winning the Cambridge tournament in their inaugural year. He highlighted the children’s engagement with challenges and their remarkable progress. Feedback from judges and referees provided valuable insights for further improvement as they prepare for the national final.
Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. on STEM Engagement
Seema Webb, Director of Human Resources at Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., praised the tournament’s success and the incredible enthusiasm, creativity, and ingenuity of Cambridge’s young participants. Qualcomm Technologies supports FIRST® LEGO® League globally, fostering inclusivity and inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals.
IET FIRST® LEGO® League: A Global Initiative
FIRST® LEGO® League, a global education initiative, annually engages over 320,000 young people from 98 countries in developing their STEM skills. The operational partner in the UK and Ireland is The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. sponsoring the competition globally.
A Glimpse into the Future
As Team CERC prepares for the UK and Ireland final, IET and Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. express gratitude to everyone contributing to the event’s success. The national final in February will culminate in talent, creativity, and teamwork, propelling the winning team to one of three international events, including the World Festival in Detroit, Michigan.
For more details on upcoming events and STEM initiatives, contact Cllr. Shrobona Bhattacharya at [email protected]. Join the journey of nurturing innovation in Cambourne’s young minds.
https://www.firstlegoleague.org/past-challenges
