Published Tuesday, 30 September, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Gold Coast students excel at national robotics competition
A team of Gold Coast students has won a prestigious national robotics competition beating thirteen teams, including four from China.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford and the Member for Gaven Phil Gray met with the students from Pacific Pines State School today to congratulate them for their efforts.
“The team of nine students from Pacific Pines State School won the National RoboCup Junior (Dance) competition held in Perth earlier this month,” Mr Welford said.
“These young students, guided by technology co-ordinator Karen Rouse, have shown tremendous creative talent in developing technologies of the future.
“The fact that they beat all national teams as well as four teams from China shows the depth of the students’ talent and their school community should be very proud of them.
“The RoboCup Junior Dance competition has enabled these students to integrate their talents in science, technology and the arts to make robots which dance to music.
“Not only did they build, programme and decorate the robots and props but they also developed their own dance moves to compliment the actions of the robots.”
Their winning entry called ‘Gold Coast Indy – Power On’ involves two teams of robots dancing off against each other – Holden vs Ford – with each team made up of two V8 cars and one Indy car on a moving platform.
Mr Welford said the students developed skills in electronics, problem solving and team work.
“I congratulate all involved in organising this event because I strongly believe that fostering a love of science, technology and the creative industries in students is very important,” he said.
“These are the fields of study that have the greatest potential to open doors into the dynamic new industries of the 21st century.
“Competitions like this one will hopefully inspire today’s students to pursue a career in these fields, so that they can contribute to the scientific and creative developments of the future.”
The students on the winning team from Pacific Pines State School were – Team Captain Joe MacPhail, Thomas Harrison and Blake Cadoo (Year 7); Alexa Holt, Joshua Whybird and Alex Wilson (Year 6); and Lochlan Taverner, Chloe Niblock, Jesse Whybird (Year 5).
The team also won the state finals in August at a competition hosted by the University of Queensland which aimed at fostering young people’s interest in science and technology.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford and the Member for Gaven Phil Gray met with the students from Pacific Pines State School today to congratulate them for their efforts.
“The team of nine students from Pacific Pines State School won the National RoboCup Junior (Dance) competition held in Perth earlier this month,” Mr Welford said.
“These young students, guided by technology co-ordinator Karen Rouse, have shown tremendous creative talent in developing technologies of the future.
“The fact that they beat all national teams as well as four teams from China shows the depth of the students’ talent and their school community should be very proud of them.
“The RoboCup Junior Dance competition has enabled these students to integrate their talents in science, technology and the arts to make robots which dance to music.
“Not only did they build, programme and decorate the robots and props but they also developed their own dance moves to compliment the actions of the robots.”
Their winning entry called ‘Gold Coast Indy – Power On’ involves two teams of robots dancing off against each other – Holden vs Ford – with each team made up of two V8 cars and one Indy car on a moving platform.
Mr Welford said the students developed skills in electronics, problem solving and team work.
“I congratulate all involved in organising this event because I strongly believe that fostering a love of science, technology and the creative industries in students is very important,” he said.
“These are the fields of study that have the greatest potential to open doors into the dynamic new industries of the 21st century.
“Competitions like this one will hopefully inspire today’s students to pursue a career in these fields, so that they can contribute to the scientific and creative developments of the future.”
The students on the winning team from Pacific Pines State School were – Team Captain Joe MacPhail, Thomas Harrison and Blake Cadoo (Year 7); Alexa Holt, Joshua Whybird and Alex Wilson (Year 6); and Lochlan Taverner, Chloe Niblock, Jesse Whybird (Year 5).
The team also won the state finals in August at a competition hosted by the University of Queensland which aimed at fostering young people’s interest in science and technology.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000