Wollongong’s FIRST robotics team Project Bucephalus caused a major upset to win the South Pacific Regional competition in Sydney last weekend.
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But the team made up of 34 students from 15 high-schools now face another challenge to raise the funds needed to travel to the USA to compete in the world championships.
Nevertheless, Project Bucephalus mentor Lyndell Clark said the team was still basking in the glory of upsetting more fancied FIRST robotics teams.
In fact they “were ecstatic” to be the first Wollongong team to win an FRC event.
“The kids still can’t believe we beat Barker [College],” she said.
“This was the first time in five years the Australian events were not won by the teams from Macquarie University or Barker College.
“This is truly a major accomplishment for our team.”
However, the team lacks the funds to make the most of their achievement.
“Even running with a greatly reduced complement, Project Bucephalus will be forced to forgo this opportunity unless support can be found,” Mrs Clark said.
Some 42 national and international teams converged on Sydney Olympic Park for the Southern Cross Regional (March 11-13) and the South Pacific Regional (March 16-18).
Project Bucephalus, which competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), an international STEM program for teams of high-school students, won the robotic competition, the Woodie Flowers finalist award and the Creativity award.
This success secured the team an invitation to the World Championships in Houston.
“We just need to raise the money now to get there,” Mrs Clark said.
“It’s going to be difficult as the championships are in April and we haven’t got much time.
“It’s a lot of money to find. The registration fee alone is $5000. Then we have to pay for the kids’ airfares, travel and accommodation.”
Project Bucephalus has set up a GoFundMe page to raise $7000.
“We are expecting it to cost $80,000 all up so any corporate support is welcome.”