Barker Robotics
Barker Robotics
Barker's Robotics program continues to go from strength-to-strength demonstrating that Robotics is so much more than 'just the robot.
Robotics at Barker
Barker Robotics provides a rounded educational experience, equipping students with skills that few other high school programs can offer. Teaching communication, teamwork, leadership and initiative, whilst having fun and pursuing their passion whether technical, business or artistic. Students are taken through an engineering process that involves designing, prototyping, constructing and testing their robot so that it can complete the tasks required to be a competitive player.
Barker has adopted a whole-school approach to its Robotics program with students able to participate in Robotics from Year 5. A dedicated Robotics Centre has been created for students to work together in a team-oriented environment. Through a rewarding and enriching program, we aim to maximise the creative and intelligent capacity of the students, challenging them to become better so they have the skills and confidence to do what they never thought they could.
Barker's Robotics program has attracted a lot of attention globally, as the Redbacks team are the only team in the world to have won four regional competitions and are currently sitting in the top ten of robotics teams in the world.
No previous skills are required to join the program - just curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Training, support and guidance are provided by Barker technical staff, teachers and industry mentors.
Our Awards
| 2018 | |
|---|---|
| Engineering Excellence Award | FRC World Championships, Houston |
| Winning Alliance | Southern Cross Regional, Sydney |
| Industrial Design Award | Southern Cross Regional, Sydney |
| Finalists | South Pacific Regional |
| Quality Award | South Pacific Regional |
| Finalists | Robotics Championships, China |
| 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Four Regional Titles | More than any other team |
| 6 Blue Banners in single season | Equal 2nd for World Record |
| Innovation in Control Award | World Championships, Houston |
| Winning Alliance | Shenzhen Regional Competition, China |
| Innovation in Control Award | Shenzhen Regional Competition, China |
| Australian Regional Champions | Southern Cross FRC, Sydney |
| Excellence in Engineering Award | Southern Cross FRC, Sydney |
| Regional Champions | New York City FIRST Robotics Competition |
| Chairman's Award New | York City FIRST Robotics Competition |
| 2016 | |
|---|---|
| Australian Regional Champions | FIRST Regional Competition, Sydney |
| Chairman's Award | FIRST Regional Competition, Sydney |
| Dean's List Award to Alastair Pilley | FIRST Regional Competition, Sydney |
| 2015 | |
|---|---|
| Ranked in top 20 in world International | FIRST competition, St Louis, Missouri |
| Finalist & Innovative Control Award | Recycle Rush Regional Competition Sydney Olympic Park |
| 2014 | |
|---|---|
| Excellence in Robot Design | Duel Down Under Barker College |
| Winning Alliance Captain | |
What is FIRST?
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was started in 1989 by Segway inventor, Dean Kamen and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They had a vision to make Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (or STEM) attractive career paths that young people wouldn't take for granted. Since its beginning, FIRST has significantly improved students' attitudes towards math, science and teamwork. Students who participate show increased interest in pursuing internship and employment opportunities in science and engineering.
Every year a new game is released. Teams strategise and build a robot that can play the game in the most efficient and effective way, learning leadership, team work and communication skills along the way. Students work together as part of an elite international program, with thousands of teams competing around the world. You can learn more about the FIRST competition here.