Since October 2019, a few Sacred Heart girls from years 8-9 have been involved in the STEM based program, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition for Science and Technology). Together they have formed Geelong’s first FRC team called Deakin Velocity #8259, based at the Waurn Ponds campus. Deakin Velocity is a team that values Gracious Professionalism, Creativity and Passion. Although it is their first season in FRC, some members of the team have previously participated in FIRST programs like FLL. 'Cre8te The Future' (their Former FLL team) traveling to Nepal, Hungary and Singapore to compete, volunteer and see their project inspiration in action.

Being involved in this program has given these students the opportunity to take part in real world activities and put their critical and creative thinking skills to the test. Makaira Le, Lily Hall, Sarah Joordens, Emily Bagge and additional students from surrounding Geelong Schools have been spending their time building and coding a robot, approximately the size of a washing machine! Though, this program is so much more than just robots. They have been communicating with Project Bucephulus, one of the best STEM teams in the country from Wollongong, NSW. Students in the team have been completing tasks that will prepare them for the jobs of the future. They have been learning how to construct safety documentation, marketing plans and even writing code to put their robot into action. They have been given an amazing insight as to what is involved in the Engineering industry, all thanks to Deakin University for generously allowing them to use their amazing mentors, facilities and given them the opportunity to see what engineering really is for themselves.

We have however had some disappointing news in that due to the Coronavirus the FIRST community in the USA have postponed all event worldwide. This decision has been made based on guidance from the World Health Organization, Centres for Disease Control and state and local health officials, as well as the declaration of states of emergency across many states/countries, the ever-expanding travel restrictions for schools. The health and safety of our community is the top priority, so they have decided to suspend all season play across all Programs worldwide, effective immediately, including the cancellation of both FIRST Championship events.

In the meantime, we are going to take this as an opportunity to improve our Robot, get more driving experience add extra features and work on our website. This will help prepare us for a local Australian competition for later this year and potentially a rescheduled international competition.

If anyone would like further details as to how you could be involved in future events please contact Robynne Hall, Craig McGill or Matthew Joordens at Deakin School of Engineering.

To learn more please check out our social media pages: Instagram: @frc8259 twitter: @frc8259 https://frc8259.wixsite.com/de... Hall, School of Engineering - Deakin University.