College students in Cornwall have earned themselves first, second and third place awards in an engineering challenge last month.

Penryn College students showcased their innovative programming and planning skills to a panel of expert judges in the First Lego League Challenge regional competition at Penryn College in June.

The team of ten Year nine pupils were judged in several categories, earning a first-place finish in ‘Engineering Excellence’, a runners-up spot in ‘Core Values’, and a third-place finish in the ‘Innovation Project’ category.

In the build-up to the event, students spent their lunchtimes and spare time after school building a Lego Spike robot and a Lego-based playing field full of exercise machines.

The robot then had to be programmed to solve and complete various challenges on the playing field in order for the team of pupils to earn points from the judges.

Falmouth Packet: The student's idea consisted of a robotic ball that linked to a smart watch, which involved the user taking part in games such as ‘chase’ and ‘follow me’. The student's idea consisted of a robotic ball that linked to a smart watch, which involved the user taking part in games such as ‘chase’ and ‘follow me’.

Read Next:

Aside from the practical side of the competition, the team had to come up with a new, innovative fitness concept.

Their idea consisted of a robotic ball that linked to a smart watch, which involved the user taking part in games such as ‘chase’ and ‘follow me.’

They also planned for users to engage in COVID-safe multiplayer modes.

Reflecting on the team’s efforts, Penryn College Head of ICT, Andy Yule, said: "The team did a fantastic job and worked in a superb, independent manner.

"It was a difficult challenge, and they made mistakes along the way, but they showed amazing resilience and stamina to get their competition entry prepared.

"A big well done to them.

"A huge thank you to Watson-Marlow who funded the Lego kit and entry; RNAS Culdrose, for hosting the competition; and Cornwall Council STEM EBP."