On 27th February Munster Technological University (MTU) hosted the VEX Robotics National Finals, featuring 24 elite teams competing in the "Over Under" tournament. Kinsale Community School (KCS) stood out as a participant of excellence and innovation in Irish secondary education robotics and received the ‘VEX Excellence Award’ to secure their spot at the VEX World Championships in Dallas.

The journey to the national finals was challenging for teams, qualifying through rigorous regional competitions in Donegal, Galway, Limerick, Tullamore, and Kinsale. Their primary aim was to showcase their robotics skills, marking the 2023-24 season as the most competitive since the introduction of VEX Robotics to Ireland in 2013, highlighting the country's growing calibre of talented young engineers.

The VEX Robotics competition goes beyond robot battles, serving as a comprehensive test of design, building, coding, and driving skills. The most coveted awards include the Tournament Champions and the overall Excellence Award, acknowledging students' technical expertise and teamwork in problem-solving.

This year’s tournament champions Kinsale Team 2 "50% Eagles" secured victory in a strategic alliance with Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair from Donegal, showcasing exceptional synergy and technical acumen to clinch victory.  In a dramatic final, they faced off against Kinsale Team 1 "Turtles" in a best-of-three match, emerging victorious and securing their spot at the VEX World Championships in Dallas.

Despite their defeat in the final, Kinsale Team 1 "Turtles" was awarded the overall Excellence Award. Their outstanding performance throughout the competition and a meticulously prepared 200-page engineering notebook distinguished them as a team of exceptional merit.

Event partners, including Dell, MTU, county councils, and IT institutions in Ireland, are credited for their invaluable support in hosting regional VEX Robotics competitions and training students. Kinsale Community School (KCS), a veteran in VEX Robotics, showcases a commitment to excellence by mentoring local schools, fielding competitive teams, and hosting a regional qualifier event. As the national finals conclude, winning teams, including KCS, prepare for the VEX World Championships in Dallas, representing Ireland globally.

KCS's consistent participation and representation on the world stage has exposed over 50 students to international competition since 2018, fostering a culture of confidence and ambition in STEM fields. This year TY students Skye Sheedy, Ellie Sheedy, Ronan Humphreys, Mattis Wonder, Liam Diggin, Farzad Khan, Eoin Browne and Lily Cahill stepped up as leaders of their teams.  Their commitment extended beyond just competing; they volunteered to help run other events, dedicating countless hours to building and coding their robots. This spirit of volunteerism and leadership is a cornerstone of the KCS VEX Robotics program.

The development and achievements of the VEX program at Kinsale Community School are also attributed to its passionate staff involvement. TY Coordinator Niamh Hay, ICT Coordinator Eddie Farren, and Teacher Tony Leahy have been instrumental in guiding the program's direction and success. Their support and mentorship have been pivotal in creating a nurturing environment where students can explore, learn, and excel in STEM.