Premier Deep Hole Drilling supports robot games initiative

Rampaging Chariots is an educational initiative operated locally by Selex Galileo, a leader in the defence electronics markets. Stuart Grant, Premier's managing director, explains: "Selex Galileo uses the Rampaging Chariots competition to create and stimulate an interest in engineering at an early age. By doing so, the company is nurturing the talent available on its doorstep, and I think this should be applauded, which is why Premier Deep Hole Drilling was happy to sponsor the kits for Southend High School for Boys." Comprising up to six students in year 9 and year 10, each of the four house teams at the school – Spartan, Troy, Tuscany and Athens – have entered the National Rampaging Chariot competition and must build a powerful, radio-controlled robot, following the engineering concept designs provided with the kit. Lynn Peek, head of the school's science society, explains: "Building the robots provides an excellent learning experience, pushing the students engineering, materials and craft skills to new levels. "They have had to learn to work as a team to complete the tasks, with some focusing on soldering and testing the printed circuit boards used to remotely control the robots while the others make the chassis and bodywork by combining the parts supplied with the kits and making parts from raw materials." All of the school's robots will compete against others in a regional competition held during June, in events such as Sumo wrestling, football and an obstacle course. If the teams make it through, they will progress to the annual Robotic Games to determine the national champions. During July, the school will host its own competition where the house teams' robots will face each other in similar event to find the school's winning team. Building the robots has been carried out as an extra curricula activity, with the support of various teachers at the school that have given up their time to help the teams. "It has been as interesting for the staff as it has for the students. I believe projects such as this will generate a future interest in science and engineering from our students," concludes Mrs Peek.