Uchechukwu Nnaike
The Principal, Queen’s College, Lagos, Mrs. Oyindamola Obabori, has called on stakeholders in education to encourage sustained support for robotics clubs and STEAM initiatives in schools across the country, to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity among students.
She said these could be attained by providing necessary resources, equipment and facilities to schools to promote robotics education and enable students to excel in international competitions.
She also suggested that a friendly match environment can be created to facilitate collaboration between Nigerian schools and international institutions to foster knowledge exchange, best practices sharing, and joint participation in robotics competitions.
Obabori was reacting to Queen’s College Team Aurora’s participation in the recently concluded 2023 FIRST LEGO League Asia Pacific Opening Robotics Competition, in Sydney, Australia.
She said the competition brought together talented young robotic enthusiasts from around the world, describing it as a meeting point and evaluation not just for a robotics game but for inventions for the future.
“The competition was indeed an eye opener. Trust me, I am really proud of the performance of our students. It was our first outing and I can tell you, we learnt a lot.
“The innovation project for instance, features an invention designed and executed at the prototype level by each team and then presented during the championships,” she said.
Of all the teams worldwide that qualified for the invitation-only event, she said only the first 50 to register were allowed to participate.
“Of the 50, two were absent. Out of the 48 teams that attended from more than 23 countries, QC Team Aurora was the only all-girls, only Nigerian and African team at the championships.
“Furthermore, this is the first time that Nigeria will be represented at this championships,” the principal said.
While preparing for the competition, she said the Queen’s College team conducted thorough research on the designated theme, ‘Super Powered’, and developed an innovative solution to address electricity challenges and presented its findings confidently.
She said the team also worked diligently to design and programme a robust and versatile robot capable of completing the competition tasks efficiently, adding that the members’ technical skills and attention to detail were evident in their robot’s performance.
“The team embraced the core values of FIRST LEGO League, which emphasise teamwork, respect, and gracious professionalism. They demonstrated exceptional teamwork, supported each other throughout the competition, and maintained a positive attitude,” Obabori said.
She noted that the competition provided an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics in a real-world context, adding that the experience has deepened their understanding and passion for STEAM subjects.
Also, she said the team’s participation allowed them to interact with students from diverse cultures and backgrounds, fostering international friendships and promoting cultural exchange. “This exposure broadened their horizons and instilled a global perspective.”
Obabori added that Team Aurora’s success in the competition has brought recognition and pride to Queen’s College, inspiring other students to explore robotics and STEAM-related fields. “It has also encouraged the school to further invest in robotics education and support future teams.”
While commending the Federal Ministry of Education and Coderina Academy for their continuous support and encouragement, she said that the students’ dedication and enthusiasm are a testament to the potential of Nigerian students in the field of robotics and STEAM education.
