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At Glenlyon Norfolk School, our Middle School and Junior School (Grade 5) robotics teams have spent the past few months diving deep into the world of underwater exploration through this year’s FIRST LEGO League challenge: SUBMERGED. The season has been an exciting journey of creativity, problem-solving and hands-on innovation, as students explored the layers of the ocean and applied LEGO technology to solve real-world challenges.
Middle School: Engineering, Coding and Teamwork in Competition
Our Middle School robotics team competed in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge league, where they designed, built and programmed LEGO robots to complete a series of underwater-themed missions. From navigating simulated underwater currents to retrieving submerged objects, the students worked collaboratively to refine their designs and improve their coding solutions.
On Sunday, January 12, the team put their skills to the test at their first competition at the UVic Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science. Competing against other schools from around Vancouver Island, the students demonstrated their engineering and coding abilities and showcased their teamwork and problem-solving skills under pressure. The event provided invaluable experience, allowing them to see how their designs performed in real-time challenges while also learning from other teams. With the ethos of gracious professionalism, the First Lego League promotes a culture of sharing, cooperation and collaboration.
Junior School: Hands-On Exploration and Underwater Drones
Our younger robotics enthusiasts in the Grade 5 Robotics Co-Curricular program have also been busy tackling the SUBMERGED theme through the FIRST LEGO League Explore program. Their work has centred around designing and building LEGO-based solutions that mimic real-world underwater technology, encouraging them to think like marine engineers.
A special highlight for the Junior School students came on Friday, January 24, when they had the opportunity to meet Robert Murphy, a software developer and GNS parent, who brought in an underwater drone to share with the class. Robert gave an in-depth presentation on how the drone functions, demonstrating how real-life engineers use robotics to explore marine environments. Students were amazed to see footage captured along the Victoria coastline, including stunning close-ups of a sunken ship! His visit connected beautifully with the students’ learning, reinforcing how their robotics work relates to real-world innovation. We are incredibly grateful to Robert for taking the time to inspire the next generation of roboticists at GNS!
Looking Ahead: Season Wrap-Up Showcase
As the SUBMERGED season comes to a close, our students are preparing to share their learning and celebrate their achievements at a special Season Wrap-Up Showcase on Friday, February 28, in the afternoon at the Junior School campus. This event will give students the chance to demonstrate their projects, showcase their robots in action, and reflect on their journey throughout the season.
We are incredibly proud of all our Middle School and Junior School robotics students for their hard work, perseverance, and enthusiasm. Whether competing at UVic or exploring the depths of the ocean through LEGO robotics, they have gained valuable skills in coding, design and collaboration—all while having a ton of fun!
A huge thank you to our dedicated coaches (Mr. Shewry and Ms. Masson at the Junior School), mentors and special guests who helped make this season a success. We look forward to seeing what new innovations our students will explore next season!
