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We are #morethanrobots
At BSG Robotics our Core Mission is Building Engineers of the Future. We are an all girls robotics, engineering and STEM Outreach club that aims to inspire the next generation of students in the engineering and tech sectors.
Founded in 2022, our club consists of three teams of students ranging from aged 12 to 17 supported by staff volunteers and Sixth Form student mentors. We meet three times a week in our design technology department.
Our club takes part in FIRST ® TECH CHALLENGE, the world’s largest STEM competition for students. Currently we compete in regional competitions (that we host) and the FIRST ® TECH CHALLENGE UK National Competition held each year.
In our first year we won the UK National Championship THINK Award for engineering and came UK National Runners Up in the DESIGN and CONNECT Award categories (for robot design and community outreach). Currently in our second year we have won the regional INSPIRE AWARD and have a team going to the nationals for a second year in a row.
But our club is #morethanrobots and we aim to develop a wide range of skills in our students that will enhance their skill set and educational journey with us. We want to inspire as many as possible to consider STEM careers with a particular focus on mechanical, electrical or software engineering. A real collaboration between our D&T and Computing Departments, BSG Robotics also engages with industry mentors to further enhance the skills students develop and giving them further inspiration for working in related fields.
About FIRST® TECH CHALLENGE
It’s way more than building robots. FIRST® TECH CHALLENGE teams (up to 15 team members, Year 7-13) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format.
Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team.
The robot kit is reusable from year to year and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming. Teams design and build robots, raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach to earn specific awards. Participants are eligible to apply for $80M+ in college scholarships in the USA.
Each season concludes with regional championship events and an exciting FIRST® Championship.
The really cool thing about FIRST® Tech Challenge is…all skill levels are welcomed and needed, technical or non-technical. Student and adult team members are encouraged to bring any skills they already have, like coding, electronics, metalworking, graphic design, web creation, public speaking, videography, and more. Adult coaches guide students as they gain skills and confidence in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Introducing the 2023/2024 Season
This year our teams must design a robot that can:
See this year’s game animation below
Our Teams (2023-24)
It’s now our second season and this year our club has expanded to three all-girl teams. Our National Champion Team – ULTRAVIOLET (Y9-12) will be continuing into the new season, with us creating two new teams – ORANGE BYTES (Y7-8) and CYBER BLUES (Y7-12). We’ll show all their progress on this webpage, our Twitter account and our LinkedIn Page. We hope you’ll follow us this season. We recruit students to our teams in early September.
This year we will have a separate weekly lunchtime session for each team in W8 with a FIRST UK Coach, though other teams can come and complete supervised work on their teams & robots on other lunchtimes too.
Our club will link up online with other regional clubs to support each other and network with other young people.
Meet Tuesdays
Meet Wednesdays
Meet Thursdays
Our Sponsors
We couldn’t run our robotics club without support from our sponsors. Below we list sponsors who have supported our club’s teams so far.
Thanks to the Senior Leadership team and Governors for supporting us starting up the club. The governing body has also provided funding for our outreach programme in primary schools for the summer term.
Raytheon Technologies sponsors the POWERPLAY season and we appreciate the effort that has gone in to ensuring this FTC season has a fantastic game that allows us to develop our skills throughout the competition.
Visit their website: https://www.rtx.com/
FIRST UK have not only set up the competition but helped arrange events which we are a part of. They have helped provide bursaries for us hosting the scrimmage in January and contributed to our expensive coach fee to come to the regionals – we appreciated this a lot, thank you.
Visit their website: www.firstuk.org
RHH Franks are a family run business established in 1961 and based in New Milton.
They’ve provided financial support helping us buy equipment and travel to the Championships this year.
We offer subcontract manufacturing services for the Aerospace and allied sectors, specialising in Sheet Metal Fabrication and Machining.
To support our manufacturing expertise we also have a number of NADCAP accredited Special Process, these include, Dip Brazing, Heat Treatment, Painting and Non-Destructive Testing.
Visit their website: https://www.rhhfranks.co.uk/
JP Morgan’s Bournemouth Corporate Centre is home to more than 4,000 employees, including many who work directly with clients from the Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB) and Commercial Bank as well as a large number in operations, technology, audit and compliance. Growing from 650 employees in 1986, J.P. Morgan has leveraged the skills of the local workforce in the Dorset region and throughout the U.K.
An award-winning, international insurer with major markets in Europe and Asia with nearly 200 years of experience. It can trace its roots back to 1824 and today they’re proud to be protecting over three million UK customers for their general insurance needs. Today, it’s one of the largest car and home insurers in the UK.
PARTNER WITH US
So far our club has been an INCREDIBLE SUCCESS and we want other local business partners to be part of that. We are seeking partners from local businesses in Dorset and BCP to support us in our competitions and also expansion of regional participation over the next few years.
There are a number of ways assistance can be provided but currently we are seeking the following:
• Providing opportunities for inspiring industry related talks, career events and partnering with us to support our own regional events.
• We are also open to sponsorship for both our own club’s teams and/or the Southwest hub region.
Sponsoring our team would bring many benefits to your business and the wider community. By supporting our club, you will be investing in the future of young people and helping to develop the next generation of engineers, scientists and innovators.
In addition, your business will benefit from increased brand visibility and exposure, both within the local community and further afield. We are committed to promoting our sponsors through our social media channels, website, and other marketing materials, and we are open to discussing additional ways that we can help promote your business.
Depending on the level of sponsorship our sponsors get logos on our kits, our robots, pit banners, outgoing media and communications and mentions during any outreach to our community.
We know your business can be #morethanrobots as well, and we’re happy to receive enquiries from any businesses who can think of other ways to support our robotics club, their outreach programme and participation in this prestigious competition.
To support BSG Robotics or enquire about supporting us please email BSG Robotics at the following school email address: office@bsg.bournemouth.sch.uk.
Thank you for considering supporting BSG Robotics. We believe that your partnership would not only benefit our club, but also the wider community, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Official Southwest FIRST UK Champion Org.
Here to support teams in our region
We’re proud to be the UK’s fastest growing FIRST UK Hub and our hub network this year has trebled in size, with at least 20 schools and 25 teams competing this CENTERSTAGE Season. We will provide regular opportunities for meet ups, scrimmages and provide training and support to mentors and team leads to give nearly 400 students the best experience.
See below our map for current Southwest Hub schools competing this season (created using Google Maps).
Registration is now closed for this season. Please feel free to contact us about coming to visit one of our regional events and signing up next year where we hope to DOUBLE the number of team again.
The current list of registered teams this 23/24 season in the Southwest:
| Organisation Name | Team number | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth School for Girls | 447 | Bournemouth |
| Bournemouth School for Girls | 456 | Bournemouth |
| Bournemouth School for Girls | 526 | Bournemouth |
| Ferndown Upper School | 85 | Ferndown |
| Ferndown Upper School | 166 | Ferndown |
| Ferndown Upper School | 239 | Ferndown |
| Ferndown Upper School | 240 | Ferndown |
| Frome Community College | 472 | Frome |
| Gillingham School | 544 | Gillingham |
| Helston Community College | 74 | Helston |
| Noadswood School | 492 | Dibden Purlieu |
| Robert Blake Science College | 545 | Bridgwater |
| Royal Wootton Bassett Academy | 493 | Royal Wootton basset |
| Shaftesbury School | 539 | Shaftesbury |
| St Edward’s Roman Catholic/Church of England School, Poole | 523 | Poole |
| St Michaels Middle School | 512 | Wimborne |
| St. Peter’s Church of England Aided School | 495 | Exeter |
| Sturminster Newton High School | 540 | Sturminster Newton |
| Tavistock College | 484 | Tavistock |
| The King’s School | 488 | Ottery St Mary |
| The Mountbatten School | 500 | Romsey |
| The Swanage School | 323 | Swanage |
| Twynham School | 530 | Christchurch |
| Wildern School | 550 | Southampton |
| Devonport High School for Boys | 557 | Plymouth |
This Season’s Events
A Celebration of Innovation and Teamwork
On the 9th of March, Bournemouth School for Girls (BSG) had the privilege of hosting the exhilarating FIRST Tech Challenge UK Southwest Regional Tournament. As an international robotics competition, FIRST Tech Challenge provides a dynamic platform for students to engage in the realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We are the SW Champion Organisation where we support this club throughout the network of schools in the regions.
Exceptional Performance by BSG Teams
The tournament witnessed 18 formidable teams from across the Southwest, each demonstrating remarkable innovation and strategic prowess. BSG’s very own Robotics Club, with its Cyber Blues and Orange Bytes Teams, showcased exceptional skill, narrowly missing the finals progression by a mere seven points. Their performance, especially considering both were new teams was commendable and indicative of a bright future in robotics. They won the runners up award for Finalist Alliance.
Team Ultraviolet’s Inspirational Victory
A special mention goes to Team Ultraviolet (UV), BSG’s Purple Team, which clinched the prestigious INSPIRE Award. This accolade is not merely about robotic prowess but also celebrates the team’s engineering process, charity initiatives, STEM outreach, and overall embodiment of the competition’s core values. Their victory secures them a spot at the National Championship this June.
The Journey Ahead
The advancement of Team UV to the National Championship is a testament to their hard work, ingenuity, and the supportive environment fostered by the BSG Robotics Club. As we prepare for the national stage, the club seeks continued support and sponsorship to nurture the next generation of STEM leaders. Engaging with FTC offers students unparalleled opportunities to apply classroom theories to real-world challenges, fostering not only technical skills but also critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership.
Official Tournament Results
1. 20994 Team Python –Ferndown Upper School
2. 22487 Cubotics –Oxford High School GDST
3. 23866 Orange Bytes –Bournemouth School for Girls
Southwest Scrimmage 2023 – COSMIC COLLISION!
🚀 A Stellar Success: Southwest UK Regional Scrimmage Recap!
The Southwest UK Regional Scrimmage, held on December 14th, was a resounding success, bringing together 18 teams and nearly 300 students from across the region. This celebration of innovation and STEM excellence showcased the incredible talent and dedication of young engineers.
Highlights of the Day:
1. Robotics Challenge: Teams engaged in the ‘CENTERSTAGE’ game, where they explored the exciting realms of space and engineering. Witnessing their creativity and problem-solving skills was truly inspiring.
2.Guest Speaker: An astrophysicist graced us with a captivating talk, offering insights into the wonders of the universe and the possibilities within STEM.
3. Competitions: Teams showcased their creativity with inspiring posters on ‘STEM in Space.’ Additionally, an engineering drone competition added an extra layer of excitement and ingenuity.
4. Networking and Learning: The event provided a platform for students to connect with STEM organizations and higher education institutions. Exploring future opportunities and building networks were integral parts of the day.
5. Student Showcase: The Scrimmage was a testament to how STEM education empowers and inspires the next generation of engineers and innovators. The dedication and passion displayed by the students were truly commendable.
Future Possibilities:
The Southwest UK Regional Scrimmage wasn’t just a competition; it was a day of learning, inspiration, and exploring future possibilities. We extend our gratitude to all participants, supporters, and contributors who made this event a remarkable experience for everyone involved.
Stay tuned for more updates on our journey in the world of robotics and STEM education. Together, we are shaping the future of innovation! 🌌🤖 #FTC #STEM #morethanrobotsuk
Last Season (2022-23)
The 2022/23 Season was our Rookie Year and we were overwhelmed when we had to secure grants for two FIRST® UK Teams. We started with over 30 students, including Sixth Form students choosing to mentor and lead our younger Year 7-11 students .
We had a younger team with students from Year 7-8, and a second team with students from Years 9-11.
Team ENGENIOUS (22/23)
FTC Team: #22456
UK Team Number: #447
Team ULTRAVIOLET (22/23)
FTC Team: #22457
UK Team Number: #456
Southwest Scrimmage 2022 – An Amazing Success!
Each season as the Southwest Hub we host casual meet ups of local teams to practice using their robots on the Game Field and prepare for the regional (and hopefully) national finals.
It’s a chance to share expertise and ideas between schools and help each other be #morethanrobots. Each year we also invite a special guest to share with students their work in a STEM related field, this year we were excited to have guests from the UK Military. Special Guest- Colonel Anders-Brown and his team, giving a talk from the UK military’s Future Capability Group, demonstrating a Boston Dynamics SPOT Quadruped.
Talks was given to our Team Members, visiting FTCUK Teams and also our Year 7 students, meaning we had over 200 young people engaged with STEM and robotics on the day.
We hope that next year’s scrimmage will be even bigger, so please make sure to share your experience on social media and amongst other colleagues so we can inspire more young people and team leads to join FIRST® TECH CHALLENGE UK.
Our Rookie Team #456 – ULTRAviolet have planned a programme range of outreach activities for the community including the Robot guest at the scrimmage.
Our Rookie Team #456 – ULTRAviolet has designed a ‘PointPrism’ to help team’s with their game strategy at our scrimmage.
Any FTC Teams can download the PointPrism and print it for themselves.
SE Regional Finals 2023
National Championships 2023
Both our teams went to the FIRST TECH CHALLENGE UK National Championship at Cambridge University
The day was a BLAST! And our Team ULTRAVIOLET not only won 1, not 2 but 3 National Awards including becoming National Champions for the THINK Award 2023. What an amazing achievement for their Rookie Year!
