By CHRIS KARA

MERCY College Mackay students performed with distinction at the annual All Schools Robotics and Drone competitions staged recently at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre.  

Twelve schools across Mackay and surrounding districts battled it out in the Robotics and Drone STEM Challenge where students plan, create and code their creations with Mercy College entering five teams to compete across both competitions.  

In the Robotic competition’s Soccer Category, two Mercy teams featuring Archie Kynaston (Senior Soccer) and Aaron Greenwood and Hunter McGeary (Junior Soccer) achieved outstanding results.  

Kynaston fought a hotly contested game to be pipped at the post and took out second overall while Greenwood and McGeary finished fourth overall in the Soccer Competition which saw them awarded first place in the Junior Soccer category.  

The Mercy College team of Amy Ewart and Izabella Thorp competed in the Rescue category taking out first place in Senior Rescue.   

It was a deserved win for Amy and Izabella who featured in some incredible triumphs as they navigated the given courses to rescue a victim using an automated robot.   

Mercy students Matthew Keune and Darcy Edgerton (Junior Drones) and Clayton Grech and Clayton Woodrow (Senior Drones) competed in three challenges using drones to test their navigation and coding skills.   

It was a special achievement for the talented quartet with team Claytons finishing first overall and Keune and Edgerton a very close second.   

“This annual STEM challenge has continued to grow each year with students being able to engage with industry on the competition day, testing out their skills using VR,” said Mercy College Visual Art/Robotics teacher and Head of Teaching & Learning Sandra Bayliss.   

“The F1 Challenge is also run and while Mercy College did not enter a team this year, it is a great opportunity for our students to see the possibilities available” she said.  

Sandra also thanked fellow Mercy College teachers Cherie Hess and Aliceon Ramsay who gave up their time to help support the students in preparation for the competition.  

Mercy  College will showcase its robotics/drone/pedal prix works at a special display when the Queensland Museum hosts a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Unearthed Event on Sunday August 21 at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre.  

PIC CAPTIONS: Mercy College Mackay students achieved outstanding success at this year's annual All Schools Robotics & Drone STEM Challenge at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre