TWO innovators have booked themselves a place at the final of the world’s most prestigious robotics competition - but they now need to raise £4,000 to make the trip.
Seb Jenson and Damian Rusecki, also known as The Lads, are Year 11 pupils who study at St Helena School, in Sheepen Road, Colchester.
On Saturday, the whizz-kids battled it out against 24 of the country’s top engineering teams during the qualifying stage of the VEX Robotics Competition.
The global programme targets secondary schools and collegiate groups and promotes tee science, technology, engineering, and maths sectors of education.
After the creative young duo dazzled a panel of six judges during the tournament, held at Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, Seb and Damian won the Design Award.
The top prize is given to the team which best demonstrates comprehensive robot construction, programming, and strategy documentation.
The accolade gives the pair automatic qualification for the 2022 VEX Robotics World Championship, which is being held in Dallas, Texas, in May.
Damian said: “I was so ecstatic to be at the competition and receive the Design Award – it’s events like these that really highlight the excitement driving the STEM fields.”
The students’ win will make them the first team from St Helena School to represent the UK at the finals of the competition.
But they first need to generate a staggering £4,000 in funding in order to cover the various expenses they will incur while making the trip.
The registration fee, for example, will cost an eye-watering $1,200, and they will also need to pay for accommodation, transportation, and food and drink.
Seb said: “I’ve been competing in VEX Robotics since I was a Year 6 student at primary school.
“To have finally qualified for the pinnacle of competitive robotics is still something that needs to sink in.
“This year, The Lads made the cut - this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it's time to put Colchester on the map.
“So, we welcome all support with our endless gratitude, and we will provide frequent updates on our progress.”
To donate visit gofundme.com/f/help-the-lads-represent-the-uk-at-vex-worlds.
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