Beacon hosts VEX IQ Robotics Final

Beacon of Light hosted the finals of a VEX IQ Robotics Competition between EFL Community Trusts.

VEX Robotics is a manufacturer of educational robots which are used in competitions across the world.

The competition was a pilot for VEX IQ within the football community, with teams representing the Foundation of Light among those taking part with students from their Premier League Inspires programme.

Premier League Inspires works with young people aged 11-25 aiming to inspire and engage them in their education, which can include introducing them to new topics that may inspire them.

Students were challenged with building and programming a robot using a stock VEX IQ kit to complete tasks on a six-foot by eight-foot arena, set up on the Indoor Arena at the Beacon. 

In the regional finals, Foundation of Light teams from Consett School and Hetton Academy took awards, with Tigers Trust, represented by Winifred Holtby School, coming out on top with the main prize.

“The competition celebrated months of partnership working with Tigers Trust to provide an opportunity for our young people within the world of STEM,” said Jake Leighton, Premier League Inspires Coordinator at the Foundation of Light.

“The scheme of work asks the students to step outside of their comfort zone socially and academically, working with others from different backgrounds and different life experiences to them.

“For some learners, it will be the first time they have represented their school and they can be really proud of their collaborative work ethic. We hope this is the start of more opportunities working closely with other Foundations such as Tigers Trust, highlighting the impact of the changing lives through the power of football.”

Award Winners:

Robot Skills Champions: Winifred Holtby School (Tigers Trust)

Judges’ Award: Consett School ‘A’

Sportsmanship Award: Consett School ‘B’

Energy Award: Hetton Academy