Would-be robotics champions are set to ‘shake up’ the competition in national robotics tournament

A team of eight robotics enthusiasts from a remote NT school are set to ‘shake-up’ the competition in Sydney. Find out what’s on the line if they win.

A delegation of Dhupuma Barker School students are competing in a national robotics tournament this week. Picture: Supplied

A team of eight Yolŋu students have taken off to Sydney for this week’s national robotics tournament.

The Djirrikitj Firebirds from the Dhupuma Barker School at Gunyangara were invited to compete at the VEX Robotics Australia National Championships 2022 thanks to the team’s potential.

Head of Barker College Phillip Heath said the students took to robotics “like breathing air”.

“These kids have got some game,” he said.

“I’m just incredibly proud that we’re caring for and supporting a community from north-east Arnhem Land to come to a big metropolitan competition like this.”

Mr Heath said the students were set to “shake up” the competition and “give a lot of trouble to a lot of teams”.

The Dhupuma Barker School students could qualify for the international robotics championships if they win. Picture: Supplied

Mr Heath said the competition would be a team-based problem-solving tournament.

“The kids use not a prescribed kit, but a clipping system to design their own robot to respond to whatever game or challenge the competition requires,” he said.

Mr Heath said teams are given a set of materials to choose from a design a robot “from the ground up”.

Teams also form alliances with another group to compete in larger scale events, he said.

Alliances are formed either by invite or selection, depending on a team’s individual rank.

Mr Heath said ranks are determined by competing in and winning solo events.

“It’s quite democratic,” he said.

If the Djirrikitj Firebirds win the weekend’s events, they could qualify for VEX Robotics’ international championships.

Mr Heath said the tournaments are played worldwide in 45 countries.

The VEX Robotics Australia National Championships 2022 take place from December 3-4.

The Yothu Yindi Foundation partnered with Barker College, Studio Schools Australia, and Melbourne University on an education project that provides on-Country learning for Yolŋu people.

The Yolŋu students began studying robotics after Barker College shared its curriculum with the school through the partnership.

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