WUS Robotics participated in their fifth First Lego League competition at Oxford Brookes University, where over 50 pupils worked together during Tech Clubs, both at lunch and after school, to support the Wall-Z and WUS_Bots teams in their preparation. Their collective efforts resulted in both teams performing exceptionally well, with WUS_Bots earning a place in the National Finals in May and being awarded the ‘Rising All-Star Award,’ marking another milestone for our robotics club.

The First Lego League has become a highly anticipated event for WUS Robotics, with the group traveling to Oxford excited to take part in a competition that tests ingenuity, resilience, and creativity. Competing against 31 teams from across the country, our teams embraced the challenge and gained invaluable experience. The day was about far more than results – it was an opportunity for pupils to grow and learn in a subject they are passionate about.

Reflecting on the day, Zixiu and Razi, Year 7, share, “On Tuesday 14th January, WUS Robotics team’s excursion to Oxford Brookes University for the First Lego League (FLL) Robotics Competition was a day brimming with excitement and learning opportunities. This season’s theme was “Submerged”, focusing on the ideas of ocean exploration and innovation. The journey itself was full of teamwork and determination. Our robotics teams, Wall-Z and WUS_Bots, consisting of 6-8 members each, travelled to Oxford by train and bus. During the ride, we practiced interviews, fine-tuned our presentations and eagerly anticipated for the challenge ahead.

Upon reaching the university, we were greeted by the bustling atmosphere of the competition. The competition kicked off with three preliminary rounds, each lasting two and a half minutes, in a Robot Game match. We had to manoeuvre the robot with pre-written code to complete various Lego tasks. Each round presented its own unique obstacles, compelling us to adapt and find solutions quickly. During the robot game, we experienced a mix of exhilaration and nervousness, as the time pressure and the desire to succeed surged through us.

We set up our robot and mission board and ran last-minute code tests while waiting for the event to officially begin. As part of the Wall-Z team, we felt proud of how well-prepared we were. Our first official judged run was incredible, achieving a personal best in mission scores. Despite making adjustments and giving it our all in the subsequent rounds, our high score from the initial run remained unbeaten by us.

After that, it was time for us to showcase our innovation project on the topic of “Underwater Habitat Destruction Detection”. In this project, we utilised AI to predict whether or not an underwater habitat was destroyed, showcasing the potential of technology in ocean exploration. Standing before the judges, we had to articulate our project’s objectives, design process, and the hurdles we overcame. As a team, we had worked thoroughly together to prepare for the interviews and that work had paid off. While slightly nerve-racking, our interactions with the judges taught us valuable lessons that we can apply next year.

Coming back to the main hall after the presentations we were greeted with a friendly robotic dog, by BostonDynamics. It was a completely otherworldly experience seeing it move, climb and balance itself.

Despite our team not receiving any awards, our fellow WUS_Bots team earned qualification to National Competition in Harrogate. Weary yet elated, we embarked on the return journey, carrying with us cherished memories of a day filled with challenges and triumphs. The FLL competition was more than just a display of our robotics abilities; it was a testament to the power of teamwork, problem-solving and effective communication. The lessons we learned and the bonds we formed will undoubtedly remain with us, shaping our future endeavours and reminding us of the incredible experience we shared at Oxford Brookes.

Thank you to Mr. Keller and Mr. Baillie, teams Wall-Z and WUS_Bots and a huge thank you goes to our coach, Mr. Singh, motivating us and bringing us opportunities such as these. I can’t wait to take on future challenges with this incredible team!”

Both teams demonstrated exceptional commitment and growth throughout the day, and their efforts have laid a solid foundation for future challenges. Their dedication to the core values of the competition was evident, and as pupils continue to develop their skills, they will undoubtedly carry these valuable lessons with them in future competitions.