From the 2nd to the 4th of May 2025, a team of enthusiastic and innovative Year 11 pupils—Ethan, James, Bailey and Aaron—travelled to Harrogate to take part in the FIRST LEGO League UK National Finals. They were accompanied and supported by Mr Gibson and Ms Hendy, who have overseen the team’s development throughout the year.
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What is the LEGO League?
The FIRST LEGO League is a global robotics programme designed to introduce young people aged 4 to 16 to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on, interactive learning. It encourages creativity, teamwork and problem-solving as students tackle real-world challenges using LEGO-based robotics. The competition not only builds technical skills but also fosters confidence, resilience and collaboration among participants.
In preparation for the national event, the Wallace High School team spent several months programming a robot, designed with LEGO attachments, capable of completing a variety of mission-based tasks on a themed playing field. In addition to the robot game, pupils also developed an Innovation Project based on the year’s theme. This project required extensive research and the creation of a solution to a real-world problem, which they then presented to a panel of expert judges on competition day.
Competition Success
Having previously won the Regional Final at W5 in Belfast in February, the Wallace team secured their place at the UK Finals, joining 65 other top-performing teams from across the United Kingdom. Their achievement in Harrogate was remarkable; they competed with confidence and finished 29th overall—a fantastic result in a field of such high-calibre participants.
The team’s Innovation Project focused on the concept of underwater data cooling centres. These centres utilise the natural cooling properties of ocean water to reduce the temperature of computer servers, offering a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to traditional data centres. The pupils’ presentation impressed the judging panel, which included professionals from leading STEM industries. The judges praised the team’s creativity, thorough research, and strong presentation skills, as well as their evident teamwork and adaptability throughout the project.
The competition weekend also provided valuable opportunities beyond the event itself. The pupils were able to interact with like-minded students from different regions, take part in additional challenges, and engage with industry experts who offered insights into careers in STEM fields. This enriching experience not only broadened the students’ horizons but also reinforced the importance of innovation and collaboration.
In addition to their competition commitments, the team found time to relax and enjoy the trip. They visited a local cinema and tested their problem-solving abilities further in an escape room challenge, adding an enjoyable social element to the experience.
Reflections
Reflecting on the trip, team member Ethan described the event as an “amazing opportunity which has allowed our team to develop our skills and enhance our knowledge of STEM. We had great fun interacting with teams from across the UK and enjoyed exploring Harrogate too.”
Mr Gibson commented: “The team have worked extremely hard all year on both their robot game and their presentation. They can be very proud of their efforts in representing the school and Northern Ireland in such a prestigious STEM competition. It has been wonderful to see their teamwork and programming skills develop throughout the year. Participating in this competition will undoubtedly inspire the team to continue their journey in STEM.”
Thanks to our Sponsors
Special thanks must go to the generous sponsors who made this trip possible: Kainos, Version 1, Wolfspeed, and COG Multimedia. We are also grateful to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and Ladybird Promo for providing the team with high-quality branded merchandise.
Congratulations to our FIRST LEGO League team for their exceptional dedication, hard work and outstanding performance. You have made Wallace High School extremely proud.
Wallace High School Computing Department
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Last modified: May 20, 2025
