Team from Cambridge Electronics and Robotics Club compete on world stage
A robotics team from Greater Cambridge have returned from an “unforgettable” journey representing the UK at the Asia Pacific Open Championship (APOC) in Australia.
Team Activate, from Cambridge Electronics and Robotics Club, competed with 53 international teams from 25 different countries at the event, which was held in Sydney.
Srihan K, 13, a pupil at Cambourne Village College, said: “Our APOC experience was unimaginable, we had lots of fun travelling together for over 80 hours and also visiting the Sydney Opera House and the Blue Mountains where we took lots of pictures and made lifelong memories.”
Yuteng Wang, 12, who is also a Cambourne Village College student, added: “Internationals was a wonderful experience and we all can agree that it was an amazing experience for all of us.
“The event was a brilliant way for us to engage with diverse cultures and to make friends with people from across the world.”
The team, which is made up of young people aged eight to 14, began their journey in August last year when they won the First Lego League Challenge regional competition in Coventry.
The win secured them a place at the First LEGO League UK National Championship in April where the team were awarded the second place Championship Award. This came with an invitation to represent the country at the APOC.
In Australia, Team Activate achieved the fifth highest score in the autonomous robot game and wowed the judges with their app – Fossil Eyes, created to encourage families to engage in fossil finding. The team was awarded the Rising All-Star Award and placed 10th overall.
Siddharth Dave, 11, a pupil at Babraham C of E Primary School, added: “It was an amazing experience, and if I had the chance, I would go again. In a single trip alone, I visited so many new places, met so many people from around the world, and learned about the cultures of so many different countries.”
Yuvan Varma, eight, from Hardwick and Cambourne Community Primary School, said: “On the last day of the competition, we got to know that we have won the Rising Star All-Star award.
“We were overjoyed and beaming with happiness. I will always cherish the memories of my first International First Lego League adventure.”
The team are now preparing for the next season of the First Lego League Challenge season.
Abhav Mehta, 13, a student at Cambourne Village College, said: “My experience at APOC was unforgettable! We travelled all the way to Australia for the First LEGO League Internationals competition where the best teams were participating in.
“In the competition, we scored 480 out of 550 in our robot runs, which was a decently good amount of points, therefore we placed 10th. Our innovation project went well and they seemed to like it.
“Overall, it was an incredible experience, and would be a moment that I will never forget.”
