Last week 4 teams from Amberley (Years 5-6 & 7-8) took part in the EPro8 Challenge - Mrs Lotz was lucky enough to be there to support our year 7-8 teams.

My son Alfie had asked to be a part of this team, being a problem solver and 'constructor' he wanted to put his skills to a test. I was interested and excited to go along and watch this 2.5 hour challenge. We arrived at 4.45pm and went into the tin shed, there we found approximately 12 work stations all the same with a vast variety of building materials and electronics. As the teams and their supporters arrived the excitement grew, as did the boys nerves. The 2 Amberley teams were both ready!

The bell signalled the start of the challenge and the teams were invited to read through the challenges - parents and teachers were warned that points would be deducted if any help was offered. Both teams chose the dog kennel challenge and began constructing. The idea of the challenge is to build and build on to a structure to earn extra points, these included making the kennel storm proof, building it off the ground, constructing a flood alarm, a automatic door and other electronic components. 

Both teams had different strategies, one scoring early, the other building 3 stages of the structure before buzzing for a score check. Suddenly "The Dynamos" went onto the lead. "The Sprints: continues to work hard as well. During the two and half hours the tension was high but the boys were calm and focused at all times. I saw several mums, dads and principals looking very stressed and frustrated - but the boys remained very composed and focused on the task in front of them.  The points flicked up onto the scoreboard, being awarded for completion of tasks and keeping safe and tidy work areas. 

As the last few minutes ticked away, Cust took a strong lead, with "The Dynamos" taking a fantastic 2nd place position whilst :The Sprints" finished in a respectable position too.

The Dynamos now go through to the Semi Finals at Kaiapoi North School in June - I look forward to growing my finger nails, ready to chew them off again during the next challenge!