Moreton First’s young engineers aim for the stars in FIRST LEGO League regional tournament

Moreton First pupils competed for the first time in the FIRST LEGO League regional finals at Newcastle-under-Lyme College.

A team of five Year 5 boys from Moreton First put their robotic skills to the test during the ‘INTO ORBIT’ challenge against students from across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire.

In a bid to represent the region at the national finals later in the year, over 17 teams designed and created their own robots to compete in as many space missions as possible in two and a half minutes and developed a solution to a problem encountered by astronauts in long-term space flight.

During several months of planning for the tournament, Moreton First students gained hands-on experience with robotics and developed computer-programming skills.

They further enhanced their team-working, problem-solving and communication skills through researching, designing and making prototype solutions to solve real-world issues and experience working as an engineer.

The competition is designed to inspire students to pursue STEM-based careers as well as building important life skills and practical, hands-on experience that they can use throughout their studies and in the future.

Ben Sutcliffe, Moreton First Teacher said, ‘During the day, teams were put through their paces with a number of robot matches.

‘The aim of the challenge was to score as many points as possible and demonstrate the skills that they have developed throughout the time working on their projects and formally present their chosen solution to a panel of judges.

‘The boys really enjoyed the event and although their robot “Henry” let them down when it really mattered (they decided he had stage fright), the referees and judges had lots of positive things to say about their work.’