In a global Lego competition, a Shoalhaven Lego Robotics Group won second place for core values out of 93 teams, and they were congratulated by dignitaries at Shoalhaven council meeting on Tuesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On their return from the first Lego League International Championship in Bath, United Kingdom, four local kids received a $3000 state government grant for the trip, after South Coast MP Shelley Hancock and Kiama MP Gareth Ward lobbied for funding.
The demonstration on Tuesday wasn’t as seamless as the students had hoped, the Lego had been packed away since Sunday, but all in attendance were impressed with the computer-programmed device.
Mrs Hancock congratulated Team Shuffle members Oliver Woods, Jacob Malby and Justin Hedayat, as well as the coach Ian Woods at a presentation ceremony at Shoalhaven City Council.
“I can’t add anything to that spectacle, on behalf of community, we are enormously proud of what you’ve done,” South Coast MP Shelley Hancock said.
“I don’t understand it, I come from a generation of meccano sets.”
Ms Hancock added a funny sidenote for Ollie, who was sick at the international competition.
“And don't drink the water overseas Ollie, you have to drink Shoalhaven water,” she said.
Before the championship the students worked with Shoalhaven RiverWatch to develop a ‘mangrove box’ which when placed in a river can trap sediment and provide the perfect environment for mangrove saplings to grow.
Mr Ward said it is incredibly important for the government to empower students to take opportunities as it has done in the case of Team Shuffle.
“Shelley and I have already seen the fantastic work these students have done in our area with Shoalhaven RiverWatch,” he said.
“We knew we had to secure some funding to ensure they were able to attend the FIRST Lego League robotics championships.”
