10 December 2021
Another Geelong Lutheran College robotics team is bound for national competition following success at regional level in Werribee. Following in the footsteps of an older cohort, SEMATICS 102, a group of Year 6 students, carrying the mantle SEMATICS 101, out-strategised all-comers to claim a string of awards.
“It’s been a journey this year with so many obstacles, but our team has stayed strong and I’m really happy that we get to go to Nationals,” Primary School captain and team member Swetha said.
“If we work hard enough international competition might be a possibility.
“Our coaches are amazing people and have taught us so many skills.”
Along with the Champion’s Award, the team claimed the accolade for Robot Performance, while Jane Hollett was acknowledged for her contribution with the Coach/Mentor Award.
“Our coaches have been amazing,” Swetha continued.
“I’ve learnt how to document, engineer, design and program, I really wish more students would get into this as it’s really changed me.
“These are really helpful skills that I’ve learnt, maybe one day we’ll see some of become engineers, doctors or pilots, as a result of the things that we’ve learnt.”
Geelong ‘Pack and Send’ franchisee, James Dick, worked with the students to provide guidance and feedback and was suitably impressed by the students’ passion for problem solving.
“Logistics can be pretty dry, but also fun, and it seems that these students get it,” Mr Dick said.
“It was really interesting to observe the development from conceptualisation to the end product.
“The passion of the leadership was really impressive throughout, and I thought the students did a very good job, particularly given the tight time frame.”
The SEMATICS 102 team is also enroute to Nationals after winning the Robot Performance and Robot Design categories at the Bangholme Regional Competition earlier in the year.
Photographed is SEMATICS 101 (left to right) Swetha R, Yash V, Luca B,
Jayden J, Rithu SV and Lincoln M.
