Robotics Challenge

On the 2nd October 2025, Tile Cross Academy hosted a robotics challenge day to our year 9 students. The workshop, delivered by Hyett Education is a major part of the ‘EKO programme.’ This is part of several initiarives in the world of STEM, most notably the one led by the Ministry of Defence's ‘Defence Nuclear Enterprise’ (DNE), which aims to inspire and educate the next generation of scientists and engineers aimed to spark students’ interest in STEM subjects through practical, engaging activities.

Their workshops covered sequencing from the computing curriculum and was a great opportunity for some of our students to gain an insight into robotics and coding. For our year 9 students, the challenge was a huge success, leaving them inspired and eager to explore STEM further.

During the one-hour workshops, students worked in pairs or threes to build and programme robots, tackling a series of creative and problem-solving missions. They then had to modify it and use block coding to navigate the robot around a course. As they coded their robots to complete tasks, the students developed critical skills such as analytical thinking, teamwork and communication, all essential in STEM subjects and beyond. For many, it was their first time working with robotics, and the sense of accomplishment as they saw their creations come to life was a joy to see.

The EKO Robotics Challenge didn’t just focus on technical skills; it also gave students a glimpse into the wide range of careers connected in the STEM field, some of which they never knew had exist. By applying their classroom knowledge to real-world problems, students gained a deeper understanding of how subjects like coding, engineering, and science can open doors to future opportunities.

For Tile Cross Academy, the EKO Robotics Challenge is part of a broader commitment to offering students experiences that go beyond tradiƟonal classroom learning. By providing opportunities like this, the academy hopes to inspire a lifelong love of STEM and help students discover new passions and career possibilities.

The year 9s really enjoyed themselves and represented the school in a great manner. They should be very proud of their behaviour and aƫtude on the day.

Mr Ip, STEM Leader