By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Bayswater’s IC Robotics team has claimed a major win at the Southern Cross Regionals, a victory made even sweeter by their experience at the world championships in Houston, Texas, last year.
Sassafras resident, Jasper van Eijk, was one of the lucky few chosen to compete in Houston, thanks to the community’s generous fundraising support.
He said the trip was a game-changer, offering invaluable lessons that have driven this year’s success.
Now the team leader for the drive base and electrical subsystems, Jasper reflects on how much they’ve grown as individuals and as a team.
“One of the biggest challenges this year was adapting to a new team structure. With more members than we’ve had in a while, collaboration and fresh ideas were great, but it also brought some coordination challenges,” he said.
“Being selected as team leader for two subsystems was exciting but also daunting.”
“All team leaders had to step up and learn to manage, delegate, and keep communication flowing. With a mix of skill levels and outside commitments, it was a steep learning curve for us all.”
On a personal note, balancing his first year at university with his lead roles was no small feat.
“I’ve started a Diploma of Engineering, so balancing that with my IC Robotics roles definitely pushed me. But overall, it’s been incredibly rewarding.”
Bayswater’s IC Robotics team, made up of 30 students aged 14 to 18, designs and builds 56kg robots to compete in the annual FIRST Robotics competition, often described as “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.”
IC Robotic team representative, Marty Stow, said the team has come a long way.
“In 2024, we came second in Australia, which qualified us to head to Houston. With strong community support, we made it to the finals. This year, we went one better and won the Australian regional in Sydney. We’re thrilled with this achievement,” Marty said.
The team’s growth is also thanks to the amazing volunteers and corporate sponsors who support them.
“Our goal now is to increase the number of girls involved, as STEM skills are becoming more important in all areas of life. Being part of a team like this gives students a head start on their STEM journey, with skills they can use in university and beyond,” he said.
For Sophie Fegan, the lessons learned in Houston were pivotal.
“The trip to Houston was unforgettable. We connected with teams worldwide, learning new scouting techniques and ways to improve robot efficiency, from wiring to design,” she said.
“Those conversations helped us streamline our build season, manage projects better, and gave us more time to perfect the robot.”
Looking ahead, the team is preparing for off-season events like the Melbourne Robotics Tournament at Blackburn High School.
“We’re making our robot more efficient after monitoring it in competition. This helps us see which subsystems could be improved, and we can do this without causing too much damage to the robot. We’re also training new members for next season,” she said.
Jasper is excited about the team’s future.
“After everything we learned in Houston, our team is more motivated than ever. There’s a real energy around what we can achieve,” he said.
“Watching the team flourish, especially with so many new members, is amazing. I’m excited to see where we’ll be in five or ten years.”
Bayswater’s IC Robotics team is eager to welcome more students, especially girls, as they continue to thrive in the world of STEM. Anyone interested in joining can email the team at info@icrobotics.org.
With a bright future ahead, there’s no doubt this team will keep pushing the limits – and who knows, the next world champion might just come from Bayswater.
