End-Tech, a talented team of Endon High School students from Staffordshire, have conquered their regional Lego league competition. This victory is an incredible accomplishment for the small five-member body! Comprising Owen, James, Ethan Saunders, and Malachi, the team showcased their skills by completing various challenges set by judges at the competition. Their success has secured them the right to represent Staffordshire at the national tournament Harrogate in April.
The local contest hosted a large field of eager competing teams — including one from Bradford. Each challenge put competitors through their paces at a hands-on test of their abstract thinking and technical expertise. Of these challenges was a pitch about the robot they created for the competition with unique colour sensors.
Owen highlighted the advantages of these sensors, stating, “We’ve got a whole different robot with colour sensors this time, that makes it a bit easier to use.” This adjustment was just one small piece of the overall strategy and relentless focus that the team used during their preparation. From starting school early to staying late, these kids spent countless hours coding and constructing their robot, continuously making improvements to their robot throughout the process.
James called the mood in the contest “nail biting,” a testament to the fierce competition that marked this year’s contest. Malachi rejoiced at their victory, their second in a row at this level. As he noted, this year’s contest was inordinately competitive. “Teams are just stronger this year,” he added, reflecting the quality of this year’s competitors.
The creative team exemplifies this very dedication to precision when they select a new coding software. Their new software is built on Python, greatly multiplying their power and reach. Malachi explained, “We’ve swapped to a new coding software that uses Python so it’s much more accurate than it used to be.” This change has almost certainly helped to drive their success, mostly by improving the robot’s performance.
As they prepare for the First Lego League UK National Final later this year, End-Tech is focused on refining their skills and strategies further. After a historic first victory just two weeks ago, and filled with confidence, the team are keen to showcase Staffordshire on a national platform.