Technology News

Robotics and Autonomous Systems Club

The Robotics and Autonomous Systems Club at Marist College Ashgrove is a passionate group that meets weekly under the guidance of Mr Steven Edwards to discuss, build, and fly drones. We are thrilled to announce that one of our standout members, Julian Lewis, recently competed in the 2024 Mission Foods Australian Drone Nationals in Townsville, held during the last week of Term 3, from Monday 11 September to Friday 15 September.

Julian showcased remarkable skill and determination throughout the competition, advancing to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, a mid-air collision with another pilot’s drone ended his run in the finals. Despite this setback, Julian’s performance was impressive, especially considering it was his first national competition and he was the second youngest competitor among many seasoned adults.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Julian for his outstanding effort and look forward to seeing him compete again next year.

You can view one of his races (racing name Enjiner) in the YouTube clip at - 1:31:31

Excitement Builds for Senior MEM20422 Certificate II Engineering Pathways Students

The anticipation is palpable as our Senior MEM20422 Certificate II Engineering Pathways students put the finishing touches on their preparations for the highly anticipated Formula High School 6-hour endurance event taking place this Friday at Lakeside Park, Kurwongbah.

Scrutineering is scheduled for this Thursday to ensure our Le Mans race car meets all specifications and safety standards. Safety is our top priority, both in the car and on the track. To maintain this, there is a maximum allowable lap time; exceeding this will result in a 10-minute penalty for each breach. Additionally, pit stops are set at a minimum of 7 minutes, allowing each driver to complete 5 laps before rotating to the next, ensuring everyone gets a chance to drive throughout the day.

While this event is not officially a race, there will be recognition for the car that completes the most laps in six hours. We are hopeful that the Marist College entry will be among the top contenders. Every student in the class will have the opportunity to drive on the track, making this a truly inclusive and exciting experience which is the pinnacle event for the Certificate subject.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our many sponsors for helping make this all possible: JBE Group, Noone, Mitchelton Mowers, Bridgeman Stainless Solutions, ProCloud, Harts Paints, Thermal Edge Coating, and Workshop 28. Your contributions have been invaluable in getting us to this point.

A special thank you goes to Mr Adrian Gray for his unwavering dedication in leading this program to its current success.

Stay tuned for the results in next week’s newsletter, and wish us luck!