Grove Academy pupils take top spot in robotics competition

The pupils were among five secondary school teams from around Scotland who faced off at Robert Gordon University (RGU) to put their robots through a series of underwater missions for a place in the World Championships in USA.

The win by XTRa Tropical Robotics means they will compete in the MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education Center) 21st World Championship which is scheduled to take place in Longmont, Colorado from June 22-24.

They were victorious after a panel of experts scored all the teams on how well they completed the underwater missions, as well as taking into consideration the technical reports, safety inspections, poster displays, and engineering presentations the pupils were required to produce.

The event highlighted the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and inspired pupils to embrace environmental, social and governance efforts to create a sustainable future on our ocean planet. They used their Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in a range of tasks around marine renewable energy, monitoring ocean health and the health of water ways.

It is one of 24 regional heats held around the world by the MATE Centre in California and all the regional winners then travel to compete in the world championship final.

Jack Waghorn, Head of Design and Technology at Grove Academy, said: “The MATE ROV competition fits well into our curriculum as project-based learning and the team were pleased to win, in what was a challenging and close competition this year. They are all looking forward to competing at the World Championships.”

James Philp, RGU engineering lecturer, added: “The pupils pick up important engineering skills when it comes to designing and building the ROVs as well as working as part of a team and taking on challenges faced by those working to protect our environment every day.”