Rosenallis National School now Ireland’s Robotics Capital
From small Laois village school to the world’s robotics stage in the USA
Munster Technological University in Cork was the place to be on February 25th and 26th recently for the National VEX Robotics Competitions. Teams from all over Ireland descended on the university to compete among regional winners, including 7 Laois teams from primary and secondary schools to represent their county in 2 days of competitions.
Using their skills in robotics engineering, coding, teamwork collaboration and artistic media, teams align with a partner in 60-second challenge matches during the day as well as testing their strengths in solo coding and driving skills.
When the final matches came on Thursday afternoon, one team stood highest amongst the rest: Rosenallis National School and their team “RNS Robotics” came out triumphant, winning the Teamwork Challenge Trophy and crowned (one of two) national champions.
Winning Laois Schools
The 7 Laois teams that travelled to the National Championships in Cork were:
RNS Robotics and RizzBots, both from Rosenallis National School; Paddock National School; Rizzie Rushall Raptors from Rushall National School; Killenard Minions from Scoil Naomh Eoin in Killenard; Robo Duckies from St. Mary’s CBS Portlaoise; and Coláiste Íosagáin in Portarlington.
RNS Robotics have now progressed to the ultimate stage of the VEX Robotics calendar – to represent Ireland in a small cohort of Irish teams at the World VEX Robotics Championships, taking place at America’s Centre Convention Complex in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, USA at the end of April.
STEM Paves the Way
Through Midlands Ireland and the European Union’s Just Transition Fund, Laois has become one of Ireland’s fastest growing centres for STEM engagement excellence with facilitation of activities to schools, community groups, family workshops in libraries, social inclusion and more.
Dedicated STEM initiatives with sponsored equipment – and not just VEX Robotics – have made STEM more inclusive for people with neurodiverse and special educational needs, social inclusion, children and youth groups and even TY and Leaving Cert STEM and computer science taster modules.
One of the main goals is to highlight to younger people the subject choices that will lead to career paths for new, STEM-related skills that are already needed for today and preparing for the undiscovered jobs of the future, right here in the midlands.
The Journey Continues
Laois County Council would like to congratulate Rosenallis National School and their teacher Aaron Mackesy for the dedication and hard work in keeping STEM going in various activities.
A special Thank You is extended to all the teachers, principals and special needs assistants that have engaged with us in the STEM initiatives delivered to date in many of Laois’s schools and help them to run smoothly.
Laois County Council would also like to acknowledge the ongoing hard work and dedication of its award winning STEM Engagement Team in promoting, facilitating and providing STEM activities in our schools and communities by Seanie Morris, STEM Engagement Officer and Antoinette Brennan, Broadband Officer.
Follow more on Laois’s STEM projects and outreach on social media with the following tips and tags: #EUinmyregion # stem #vexrobotics #stemeducation #staycurious #EUJTF @MidlandsIreland.ie @EUJTF_ie
The Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan “Pathway for Transition” is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027. This Project is an initiative of the Local Authorities of the Midlands region, comprising Laois (lead partner), Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.