A 13-year-old student from St Malachy’s College in north Belfast has achieved an impressive feat by building a Lego robot capable of solving a Rubik’s cube. Ruarcc began working on prototypes for puzzle-solving robots when he was just 12 years old. His innovative project became possible thanks to the school’s recent launch of a creative digital technology hub, which fosters students’ interest in digital skills and robotics.
Initially, Ruarcc’s teacher, Clare McGrath, expressed skepticism about whether the robot would function as intended. However, Ruarcc persevered through challenges, describing the process as “frustrating” yet rewarding. Once the robot started working, he felt a great sense of accomplishment and joy in showcasing its capabilities to others.
Ruarcc noted that people are often amazed by the robot’s ability to solve the Rubik’s cube. This reaction has motivated him to continue refining his creation. He aspires to pursue a career in the IT industry, potentially as a software engineer, demonstrating his passion for technology from a young age.
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The school’s new Key Stage Three curriculum encourages students to engage with programming Lego robots using block-based coding. Clare McGrath, the senior leader for creative skills at the college, highlighted that students are encouraged to explore various programming methods beyond the classroom, allowing for greater creativity and innovation.
Principal Paul McBride played a key role in pitching the idea for the creative digital technology hub, which has led to the development of two new digital technology suites. These spaces provide students with opportunities to learn different coding techniques and foster their creativity, ultimately preparing them to become the innovators of the future.
