George Headley Primary’s robotics team seeks help ahead of global competition
Published:Thursday | September 26, 2024 | 12:08 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
The George Headley Primary School’s (GHPS) robotics team, comprising six students under 13 years of age, will be showcasing their national award-winning innovation on the world stage in the coming month.
As the GHPS ‘Tech Titans’ gear up for departure, the school administration is making an appeal to corporate Jamaica for financial support so that the students can attend the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) and represent the country.
In June, GHPS’s A team won the Future Innovators category of the Code Jamaica Expo: World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Jamaica competition, held at the AC Hotel in St Andrew. The B team took third place.
George Headley’s winning team consisted of Joelle Willis, Jadison Lee Williams, and captain Kemelia Lawrence, and will be representing Jamaica at the WRO in Turkey from November 28-30. Their invention is a fire-sensing and extinguishing robot that can detect a fire and automatically drives itself to the location of the blaze to extinguish it. The idea is to utilise such a robot in conditions too harsh for actual firefighters to contain.
Team B was led by captain Talecia Williams alongside team members Tiamara Campbell and Jazara Ireland and will be competing in Puerto Rico from October 1-3. They are scheduled to leave the island next Monday.
Team B constructed a solar, automated garden entailing the use of soil moisture sensors to provide real-time data on soil moisture levels, while ensuring that plants receive the right amount of water. The automated garden also includes a solar panel that tracks the sun’s movement in order to adjust its axis and optimise energy absorption power so that it can power the entire system sustainably. Light sensors also help to extend growing seasons, accelerate plant growth and improve root development.
Coach Dayne Grant stated that, in the national competition, the students were challenged to develop robotic solutions for real-world problems centred around the theme ‘Earth Allies: Sustainable Future and Force of Nature’.
Formed earlier in the year, GHPS’s robotics club is still under development, as there is no budget to cover expenses such as team uniform, transportation, and hotel accommodation.
To get the students to Puerto Rico, it will cost an estimated $1.5 million, while the trip to Turkey will require approximately $3.5 million.
The costs are inclusive of airfare, lodging and other expenses.
“Currently, it’s very costly because the school is the one that takes on the travelling expenses, the hotel accommodation, and also finances the club. So we are seeking sponsors who are willing to come on to help to offset those costs. Also, going forward, we’d like to have a steady sponsorship where we can have sponsors that we can put on our team shirt when we are going out to represent our country,” Grant said.
He added that the team is without official team gear to wear in the global competition which consists of more than 50 teams.
In their own efforts, GHPS has been putting on fundraisers to help with costs.
In the meantime, however, Grant has expressed appreciation to sponsors Coleyville Trading Ltd, Mike Telecom and Rigging Services Ltd and Cleveland Welding, who supported the team in their national quest.
How you can help:
Contact George Headley Primary School at 876-933-7322 or via email gheadprim2@hotmail.com