Powercut Robotics, from Langley Park School for Boys in Bromley, secured the Inspire Award at the largest ever FIRST UK Tech Challenge Championship.
This victory means they will now represent Team Great Britain at FIRST Global, an international youth robotics competition in Panama.
The event, held on June 27 at the Copper Box Arena in London, saw the Bromley team compete against 63 other teams from across the UK.
Industry judges were impressed by the team’s achievements in engineering innovation and their community impact.
Their success in the UK championship game, alongside partners from The Norwood School, demonstrated unprecedented gameplay.
Reflecting on their achievement, Powercut Robotics said: “What an incredible two days!
“Winning first place in the entire competition and the Inspire Award is something we could never have imagined when we started this journey a year and a half ago.”
The UK Championship concluded a nine-month season during which young people built and coded robots for the water-themed challenge, INTO THE DEEP presented by RTX.
The competition fused the excitement of sport with STEM, requiring the teams to compete in fast-paced matches that tested their robots’ autonomous and driver-controlled precision.
Patrice John-Baptiste, head of impact and engagement at FIRST UK, said: “The UK Championship was phenomenal.
“It showcased the engineering excellence and ambition of young people nationwide who are the future of STEM.
“Many never saw themselves in STEM until joining our programme, and to see them cheer each other on, build resilience, and put their skills to the test proves that when STEM is as fun and inspiring as sport, we can build the diversity of minds this industry needs to drive innovation.
“With industry partners like Bloomberg beside us, we’re broadening opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams, whatever their circumstances.
“A huge congratulations to Langley Park School for Boys and The Norwood School.
“Wishing team Powercut Robotics the best of luck in Panama.”
The FIRST Tech Challenge UK is a robotics programme for young people aged 12-18, focusing on self-directed STEM learning outside the classroom.
The UK Championship was powered by over 200 industry volunteers, almost half of whom were from Bloomberg.
