Motatau School Aquabots

E ngā mana, e nga reo, e nga karanga maha, e mihi ana kia tātou katoa. E hoki ana ki nga kupu a tō tātou tupuna a Taa Himi Henare hei timatanga ake i enei kawenga.

“Kua tāwhiti kē tō haerenga mai kia kore e haere tonu. He nui rawa ō mahi kia kore e mahi tonu”

“You have come too far not to go further, you have done too much not to do more”

Te Kura Reo Rua o Motatau were privileged to participate in the aquabots programme. This underwater robotics programme opened the door to a world of technology we have not experienced before, therefore all students were instantly engaged and motivated. In teams and with assistance from adults they had the opportunity to design and build their own ‘remotely operated vehicle’ (RoV) before completing a series of underwater challenges, while ‘tweaking’ and learning to use operated machinery to test, to modify, to be more bouyant, drag resistant and to increase speed.

Other skills learnt during the programme included teamwork, problem solving, scientific communication and technical applications. Our kura entered the Te Taitokerau Aquabots Competition.

Our Taikirau was placed second, resulting in qualifying for the international Sea Perch competition - a world renowned event held annually at the University of Maryland in Washington DC. The competition date is May 31st 2024. We believe the trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity and worthwhile pursuing even though our kura is small and rural.