Sysmex New Zealand were excited to be a contributor in the fund-raising efforts to help a local high school team compete at the VEX World Robotics championships in April. The Onehunga High School Robotics team were a part of the winning alliance at the NZ National Championships in March, which in turn granted them entry to compete at the World Championships in Kentucky, USA.

NZParadeNationssmallWhat is not widely known is that New Zealand teams have a proud history at the VEX Robotics World Championships. In fact in 2012, not only were Onehunga High School crowned overall World Champions, but three out of the four divisions (Mathematics, Science and Engineering) at the competition were won by New Zealand high school teams.

The VEX Robotics World Championships involve a four-day robotics-engineering tournament where teams build customised robots, deploy strategy, tactics, software skills and team cooperation to overthrow rivals. The tournament attracts more than 800 teams and 15,000 students from over 25 countries and aims to inspire the young competitor’s interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

While the Onehunga High School Robotics team were unlucky not to place in the competition, they are already in preparation and planning and designing for the coming season. As a team comprised of mostly 14 and 15 year olds, competing against senior students and the size of the event was a tremendous learning experience. But, Onehunga High School Technology teacher and robotics coach Doug Bryan believes has offered the students, “a better understanding of what is required to compete at this level and the enthusiasm to do better next time.”

As a proud sponsor of the Onehunga High School Robotics team (Team SymbiOHSis Robotics), Sysmex New Zealand would like to congratulate the students for the efforts and we hope to see them make it to the Worlds in 2016.

For you are interested in knowing more about the team, please contact Doug Bryant on [email protected]