Robocup Success

St Margaret's College entered the Robocup competition for the first time this year. I was proud to take a dedicated team to compete against other robotic enthusiasts. The girls performed so strongly at our regional competition that we went on to Auckland to make our presence known in the North Island. There are a number of different sections that girls choose to enter.

In the Theatre section of the competition, competitors select and mash together their own sound.  They can also narrate a story or present a scene based on their chosen theme. Their performance needs to demonstrate a range of technologies and part of their mark is based on an interview where the girls have to demonstrate and explain to the judges all the processes that they used to create their performance.

Another popular section was the Search and Rescue competition. Robots are put through their paces by having to complete four different courses throughout the day.  The tiles of the course are changed each round so that competitors are challenged in their ability to think flexibly in their coding and programming of their robots. The silver can at the end of the course must be pushed out of the area to finish and the time to complete the course is also taken into consideration.

Robocup offers our students an opportunity to be personally challenged.  Not only are girls competing against other like-minded students, they are also developing reliance, perseverance and teamwork in the process of preparing their performances.  Robots have a mind of their own! They should never be trusted and no matter how much your minimise and problem-solve the errors, we are always on tender hooks with fingers crossed that the robots will behave.  Nevertheless, the thrill of competing and the emotional rollercoaster that these girls experience allows for the growth of each individual and team.   

I was particularly impressed with the way in which our girls supported one another through the highlights and the disappointments. I am confident that St Margaret’s College is leading the way with girls’ in technology.  This group have been strong ambassadors and have embraced the opportunity to personally grow through their involvement in technology.  A huge 'thank you' to the wonderful team of parents who have supported  us along the way to have made our time together such a memorable first experience for St Margaret’s College to compete at the National Robocup Competition.

Regional Results:

Senior Theatre Section:

2nd Snowgies - Hattie, Holly, Mia

3rd Han Duo - Charlotte, Sophie

Search and Rescue Section:

2nd Caitlyn Wickham

National Results:

Senior Theatre Section:

2nd Snowgies

3rd Han Duo