Rising starts at international LEGO competition
St Stephen’s School’s Duncraig Primary Lego League team, Fuelled, was awarded the Rising All Stars Award at the international FIRST Lego League competition recently. The award recognised the team’s success across the board and its potential in future competitions, according to the judging panel.
The team of students from Year 5 and 6 progressed through the regional and national competitions in 2020 to qualify as one of 42 teams worldwide, and one of only four primary school teams.
St Stephen’s School Digital Learning mentor and team coach Amanda Brown said the team was thrilled with its success as the only primary team to win an award.
“We are so delighted with the team’s achievements, each of the students brought unique skills to the competition,” Mrs Brown said.
“FIRST Lego League is a competition that includes robotics, coding, and creating an innovative solution to a real-world problem while teaching the core values of working as a team. It’s an experience they will remember and draw from in years to come,” she added.
Fellow coach Lisa Kerspien said the team had the perfect combination.
“We had students that were great at research and others that had strong robotics skills. They blended together perfectly and worked well as a team working through problems and working on different solutions,” Mrs Kerspien said.
Team captain Skye Kerr said her teammates had great attitudes which showed in their excitement and great sportsmanship.
Team member Isabelle Charly said the competition was an experience that she will “remember for the rest of her life”.
Fuelled team members should be incredibly proud of their efforts, according to St Stephen’s School Principal Donella Beare.
“They have a lot to be proud of – from being one of only four primary teams in the world; working their way through the competition to represent not only our School, but Australia; to being the only primary team to win an award and being hailed as ones to watch on an international scale – the excitement, pride and recognition around this is incredible,” Mrs Beare said.
“The win highlights how our next generation are so capable in STEM areas along with skills like critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork, which really shine through in a competition like this.”
“St Stephen’s School has a rich heritage in the FIRST Lego League competition. As a School we have placed in state and national finals across both campuses and this achievement continues to build on the strength of our students in the STEM space.”
“As the judges said, watch this space.”