Dromore NS Killygordon Champions Head to World Robotics in USA

A team of primary school students from Dromore National School in Killygordon has emerged victorious at the VEX All-Ireland Robotics Championships, securing their spot to compete in the upcoming World Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. The competition is scheduled for next month, marking a significant milestone for the young innovators from Donegal.

The journey for these students began last year while they were in 5th class. In their inaugural season, they demonstrated promising potential at the ATU North West VEX Championships, finishing third, just shy of qualifying for the All-Ireland finals. Following the announcement of a new VEX game in May, the team dedicated themselves to designing and constructing a new robot. They conducted extensive online research to enhance their robot’s scoring and overall performance.

Support for the team surged when Aurivo stepped in with a sponsorship of €2,000, which enabled the school to establish a dedicated STEM room. This facility quickly became the team’s headquarters for their VEX projects. From September onwards, the pupils committed their lunch hours and Friday afternoons to building, programming, and coding their robot, under the guidance of teachers Mr. Coulter and Mrs. Kelly.

The team participated in a “scrimmage” event at Finn Valley College in November, where they won a pneumatic kit that significantly improved their robot’s design. Despite facing technical challenges and multiple rebuilds, they persevered, often sacrificing weekends and school holidays to refine their skills.

Their efforts culminated at the ATU North West Championships in January, where they triumphed by winning first place in Driving Skills and being crowned Teamwork Champions. The achievements not only secured them a place at the All-Ireland Championships in Cork but also led to Dromore NS being recognized as the overall best school. Mr. Coulter was also honored with the VEX Teacher of the Year award.

At the All-Ireland finals, the Donegal team excelled, finishing the qualification rounds with a commanding lead, scoring 50 points ahead of their closest competitors. In the final match, they partnered with a school from Laois, achieving a combined score of 212 points to claim the All-Ireland title and also winning the Driving Skills competition.

With their victory, the team is now preparing for the VEX World Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. To support their trip, which is estimated to cost €45,000, the team has initiated a fundraising campaign. They have set up a GoFundMe page and are reaching out to local businesses for sponsorship.

The students shared their excitement and plans for the competition in a recent interview with Donna-Marie Doherty, highlighting their dedication and teamwork throughout the season. Those interested in supporting the team can contribute through their GoFundMe page.

This remarkable achievement not only showcases the talent and determination of the young engineers from Dromore National School but also underscores the importance of community support in fostering educational initiatives in science and technology.