20 September, 2019

On September 13 CIT welcomed 70 teachers from both primary and secondary schools across the Cork area for the Vex Robotics Cork Teacher Training event.

The event, which was delivered in partnership with Dell Technologies, informed teachers involved in the annual VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) of this year’s games and rules. The competition requires both primary and secondary students to design, build and programme a robot, competing in regional and national competitions culminating in the VEX World Competition in Kentucky, USA.

The VEX Robotics Competition was designed to promote student's interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects. As well as programming, designing and building skills, participants acquire soft skills such as project management, presentation skills, teamwork, leadership, PR and more.

Dr Sharon Lawton, Science for Life Officer at CIT Access Office said there is a role for every child in the competition. “The competition targets every aspect of STEM and the students involved take the initiative because they are given ownership. While VEX focusses on hard science skills, participants also develop soft skills like leadership, communication and teamwork. They are an integral part of this programme but also an integral part of surviving in the workplace,” Dr Lawton said.

Bob Savage, Vice President, Regional CIO for EMEA and Cork site leader for Dell Technologies and Chairperson CIT Governing Body agrees. “It’s about much more than coding. This whole concept brings in hardware, mechanics, programme management, teamwork and presentation skills. It gets people familiar with the concept of the next-generation technology of which robotics is key.”