The capabilities of robots and the science and innovation to drive them will be on show when the bots do battle ‘beneath the ocean’s surface’ at the upcoming Western Australian Robotics Playoffs.
To kick things off, 31 teams from schools across the State will converge at Curtin Stadium from 22 -24 August to compete in the robotics competition.
Teams will use their science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and collaboration skills in a game to earn points harvesting algae and seeding a coral reef before returning to a barge and ascending to the ocean’s surface.
The event, hosted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Murdoch University and Curtin University, brings together the WA Robotics Playoffs and the Innovation Challenge.
This year’s Innovation Challenge will involve 41 teams using ag-tech and science to solve real world challenges facing WA’s agricultural sector.
The DPIRD Innovation Challenge will see teams select a real-life primary industry problem to investigate and present technology-based solutions.
This year’s challenges includes how can AI be used for weed management, how to prevent birds destroying vineyard crops and how consumers can track the sustainability of the seafood they purchase.
Teams pick one of the challenges to research and on competition day they give a five-minute presentation to a panel of judges explaining their solution.
DPIRD workforce capability manager Suzanne Wharrier said about 300 students were involved in this year’s robotics competition and 250 in the innovation challenge.
“There has been an amazing growth in the number of schools competing this year including a number of regional schools from as far afield as Exmouth, the wheatbelt and southwest,” Ms Wharrier said.
“It is really great that we are seeing our schools teaching primary industries related content and promoting STEM.”
The WA Robotics Playoffs is open to the public for free entry over the weekend of 23 and 24 August at Curtin Stadium from 10 am. The Innovation Challenge runs from 8 am on Sunday 24 August.
Free, fun family activities will also be on offer from 10 am to 4 pm on the weekend which includes a cuddly animal farm, hook-a-duck game and a LEGO building competition.
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