The Manawatu has drawn record numbers to this excellent event for 2019. Students competed in teams of four to solve engineering and electrical challenges in a 3 hour competition at Ross Intermediate. Epro8 stands for 'Engineer, Problem Solve, Innovate' and draws on student's skills across a range of experiences. The teams always have a lot of fun and regardless of results, can be so proud of what they achieved, entirely on their own, throughout their team competition.
Whakarongo School had four teams competing in the Heats this year. They faced a broad range of challenges, creating a high rise building, and then designing an internal elevator shaft for it. Some teams went on to motorise their elevator and deliver their 'passenger' to different floors of their building. There was also a lightning rod to construct as well as an electronic measuring device and my favourite - a giant rat wheel! The teams showed real resilience and teamwork as they solved their challenges together.
This year the teams were as follows:
Year 5 and 6
The Whakarongo Brainboxes: Ryan Laurence, Charlotte Burt, Ruby Shepherd and Prya Simon.
Year 7 and 8
Whakarongo Listen Up!: Kaija Fouhy, Louis Crawford, Adiel Ngirazi, Ella Michie
Whakarongo Technological Turtles: Caleb Woisin, Riley Best, Zac Doyle and Maddi Brown
And after the points were all tallied, congratulations go to the Whakarongo Techonological Turtles for winning first place in their Heat - ahead by 70 points over their nearest rivals when the clock ran down. With a score of 500 points - one of the top scores nationally to date, the team have secured their place in the Semi Finals round taking place next week. Kapai Caleb, Maddi, Zac and Riley!
Images from the event...
