Six students from three Tauranga schools have qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas, US, this May 3-12. But they will need financial support to get there.

The six boys – from Otumoetai, Tauranga Boys' and Mount Maunganui colleges – designed, built, and programmed two robots that came first and second at the VEX Robotics National Championships in late-January.

It was a well-earned win after the Year 10, 11 and 12s spent the 12 months preparing their entries at STEAM-ED Charitable Trust.

Dominic Absalom, age 14, says they first had to come up with a concept that would suit this year's competition.

'At the start of the season, we look at what the game is and come up with a few robot designs. Then we figure out which would work best at the tournament,” says Dominic.

'That was probably the hardest part,” says 13-year-old Nate Wadsworth. 'We decided to design our robot a little differently to everyone else's. We made a box that could hold three goals at once so when we picked up a goal, it was harder for the other teams to steal them.”

STEAM-ED mentor Paul de Rijk says the robots needed to withstand attack in the gaming arena.

'They had to be robust because the other robots were driving into them, trying to grab the goals at the same time. So, there's offence where they're trying to score points, but there's also defence trying to stop the other teams scoring points.”

The Tauranga teams went head-to-head in the finals with the B team, partnered with a Lynfield College team, winning the tournament to be named national champions.

Nate admits to some nerves when the finals came down to a close finish. 'It was really stressful towards the end because of how long it took to score. Now I'm looking forward to representing New Zealand at the Worlds. It will be exciting!”

The A team won the award for the top driver and programming skills, as well as the overall excellence award which is the highest honour at the Nationals.

It also qualifies the team for the Worlds. This is the third-year-in-a-row that the A team members have won the Excellence Award, however due to Covid restrictions they have not yet been able to attend the World Championships.

Paul credits the tournaments with inspiring the boys. 'If there wasn't a competition to aim for, there would not be the motivation to make their robots better.

'I think it's a real hook for them. A lot of kids aren't going to be successful in traditional sports, but they can excel at something like this. It's really rewarding to see.”

Now though comes the hard work to raise money for the boys and their support adults to travel to the US. To take all six students along with a parent will cost around $40,000 and STEAM-ED is appealing for sponsors to help get the boys there.

'It's such a great opportunity,” says Paul. 'The boys should be very proud. The Worlds arena is mind-boggling and there are around 600 international teams. It's a really high level but if we put our minds to it, it is achievable.”

To contact STEAM-ED with sponsorship help, or to find out more, contact STEAM-ED Charitable Trust's acting general manager Toni de Rijk by phoning: 021 1197175. Or email: toni.derijk@steamed.nz