Three Laois schools have excelled in the final of a national robotics competition in Mayo.
Pupils from Shanganamore NS in Barrowhouse, Scoil Eoin Pol Naofa II in Ballyroan and Camross NS all set out at dawn on Thursday morning, June 1 to make the long trip for the Vex Robotic Competition in the ATU Campus in Castlebar.
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The three newcomer schools had only started their Vex program in February.
They were up against stiff competition from seasoned schools including the current All Ireland Champions from Donegal and also the Connaught Regional champions from Mayo.
In order to play the game each school had to build and program a Robot using coding along with building the board game and the obstacles.
The competition started at 10:30am and all teams played a hectic 14 games.
All three Laois schools excelled on the day. Considering this was their first major event, the future is bright for all schools.
Shanganamore were chosen by the judges as the most impressive newcomer to the program.
Scoil Eoin Pol Naofa II were pipped in their final game by 3 points by the current All Ireland champions from Donegal on a score line of 91 to 88.
Camross were also narrowly beaten in the qualifier by the current Connaught Regional champions from Mayo.
Antoinette Brennan, the Broadband Officer with Laois County Council was responsible for securing the program for four schools in Laois to date with the backing of DRCD, Vex Robotic Program, MTU, ATU and Offaly County Council.
"It is hoped with funding to rollout this program into more primary schools in Laois in September along with other STEM programs. The vision to introduce Vex and STEM programs into Secondary and get all schools to a point where they can provide Computer Science as a Leaving Cert subject," Ms Brennan said.
She thanked all associates with the program and especially the teachers and students who took part and look forward to the future.
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