The Marine Biological Association (MBA) plays a pivotal role in studying and protecting our ocean. Our innovative research, which includes tracking marine species and investigating the effects of climate change on marine life, is shaping our understanding of oceanography. This year, a group of talented students from Darite Primary Academy had the unique opportunity to work alongside the MBA as part of their project in the First Lego League competition.
On Thursday, March 13th, the Darite Marine Marvels, a group of Year 5 and 6 pupils from Darite Primary Academy, claimed the First Lego League Robot Performance Championship at RNAS Culdrose for the fourth consecutive year! The team of seven competed against 24 other primary schools on the second day of the two-day competition, which focused on the theme Submerged.
A key part of this year’s challenge was for the students to develop an Innovation Project that would support scientists with oceanographic research. The Darite Marine Marvels reached out to our scientists at the Marine Biological Association for guidance. After an insightful Q&A session with MBA Senior Research Fellow Professor David Sims and Postdoctoral Research Scientist Dr Freya Womersley, the team learnt all about our Ocean Predator Movement Ecology research, including our cutting-edge research on shark tracking. The data gathered from these studies supports vital research on climate change and the human impact on our ocean.
The students were particularly intrigued by the challenge of extending battery life in these tags. The Darite students explored ways to recharge the tags, improving data collection while potentially making the tag smaller to better track juvenile sharks. After considering ideas like solar panels, the team settled on adapting miniature hydroelectric turbines into impellors that could be attached to the tags. The judges were impressed with both the originality of their ideas and their excellent display of teamwork.
In addition to the Innovation Project, the competition featured interactive science shows and exhibits, including electric art, rocket making, and coding activities. Navy personnel were also on hand, offering their expertise and showcasing drones.
The second aspect of the competition included the Robot Game coding competition, where the participants built and programmed a Lego robot to navigate obstacles and score points. Despite fierce competition from over 50 teams across the two days, the Darite students’ persistence paid off. After setting a high score of 265 points in the first round, they were surpassed by another team with 280 points. Refusing to be discouraged, they came back stronger, scoring an outstanding 310 points in the final round and securing the Robot Performance trophy for the fourth consecutive year. Their performance earned them the highest runners-up spot, guaranteeing their place at the National Finals in Harrogate for the second year running.
We are thrilled to have been able to inspire the Darite Marine Marvels and eagerly anticipate their performance at the National Finals.
