“The school has come a long, long way since Vex was introduced into our school four years ago. Now America is going to blow their minds, as it is at yet another level again completely.“
Joe Molloy, Teacher at Coláiste Choilm
2 Offaly Teams will go to Vex IQ Robotics World Championships
Two teams from County Offaly have earned coveted spots at the upcoming VEX Robotics World Championships. In a competition taking place over 3 days against 66 teams from across Ireland, these young engineers showcased exceptional talent, originality, and determination. Many Midlands schools swept the board as competition winners; in fact, on Day 2, there were Midlands winners in every award category. From the Midlands, two teams: Coláiste Choilm and Sacred Heart, Tullamore, will travel to the VEX IQ Robotics World Championships in Texas in May.
All-Ireland VEX Robotics Finals
For schools across Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, and Longford, the competition journey begins with a dedicated STEM Engagement officer at their schools. The VEX Robotics Regional competitions are next on the cards, where lucky teams emerge as award winners in their respective competitions. Their success at this stage secures them a place at the All-Ireland National Championships held at Munster Technological University (MTU) in Cork. This event took place this week.
EU Just Transition, Funding the Future
At the national event, the two midlands teams going to the World Championships in Texas (Coláiste Choilm and Sacred Heart) faced fierce competition from top contenders nationwide. Coláiste Choilm faced old rivals from previous years in Ireland’s oldest VEX Robotics version of competition (VEX V5), while Sacred Heart battled new and hungry teams in the newest version of the competition (VEX IQ Junior Cycle). Demonstrating advanced robotics skills and strategic acumen, the Offaly teams excelled; both teams qualified in the top 5 spaces in their individual competitions and proceeded to take home the Design and Excellence award, respectively, earning their qualification for the VEX Robotics World Championships set to take place in the USA in May this year. This achievement continues a tradition of excellence in robotics in Offaly. Notably, Tubber National School represented Ireland at the VEX IQ Robotics World Championships in Dallas in 2023.
“In 2018, Offaly County Council’s investment in the VEX Robotics programme provided 16 schools with Vex support and now thanks to EU Just Transition funding, VEX is involved in 82 primary schools and 29 secondary schools across the Midlands region.“
In 2018, Offaly County Council’s investment in the VEX Robotics programme provided 16 schools in Offaly, and now VEX is involved in 82 primary schools and 29 secondary schools across the Midlands region. In the last year, EU Just Transition Funding has made it possible to employ a dedicated STEM engagement officer in each of the four counties in the Midlands Region. The STEM officers provide the opportunity to engage with coding, engineering, and problem-solving and opportunities. In 2025, we now see the impact of this continued investment as the Midlands region has become a hotspot for STEAM innovation and excellence, driving home the importance of these skills and interests for the workforce of the future. The EU funding has also provided equipment for schools in the midlands. Find out what teams from Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford participated here.
