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Fresh off the back of National Science Week, teams of high school students will compete in the Western Australian Agricultural Automation Games this weekend.

Hundreds of students will take part in the WA Robotics Playoffs competition, and an Innovation Challenge where students use ag-tech and science to solve real world challenges facing WA’s agricultural sector.

The games are a collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, ��ҹ������վ, Curtin University, and participating WA high schools.

A total of 28 teams from 20 secondary schools from across WA are registered to compete in the Robotics Playoffs competition - almost double the number of teams in 2023 - taking on a specially designed challenge, ‘Crescendo’ - the musical term for gradually getting louder.

Foam rings serving as a metaphor for ‘musical notes’ will be collected by the robots from a loading bay and ‘amplified’ by launching them into slots of various heights and orientations.

The teams get extra points if their robots end the game on a ‘stage’ suspended by chains from a frame.

“WARP has seen a significant increase in participation this year and this growth brings a host of new schools and students into the fold,” Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre manager, and ��ҹ������վ’s long-time robotics coordinator, Dr David Berryman said.

DPIRD has sponsored several pre-rookie teams, including Champion Bay Senior High School, John Curtin College, Kelmscott Senior High School, Lakeland Senior High School and Thornlie Senior High School.

The Innovation Challenge has also expanded, with 30 teams from 13 schools participating, up from 13 teams last year. Mentored by ��ҹ������վ’s outreach team, the students have been tasked with developing innovative solutions to one of three challenges – detecting exotic plant species, managing urban pests or collecting soil samples.

The challenge is a highlight of the weekend’s activities, fostering creativity and problem-solving among students. 

In its third year, the Innovation Challenge has a prize package up for grabs for winners to purchase STEM equipment for their school.

DPIRD workforce capability project manager Suzanne Hawkes said the games were a great opportunity to gain an insight into science, technology, engineering and mathematics career pathways in primary industries.

“Ag-tech and digital technologies are becoming integral to sophisticated, modern primary industries businesses,” Mrs Hawkes said.

“There has been huge growth in the adoption of ag-tech and digital innovation across WA’s primary industries sector in recent years, as businesses become increasingly sophisticated and mechanised.

“For our primary industries to remain competitive, it is important we stay at the forefront of advances in ag-tech and digital technologies and cultivate the next generation of STEM expertise and careers.”

Pro Vice Chancellor of ��ҹ������վ’s Food Futures Institute Professor Peter Davies believes a hands-free farm experience using high tech robotic automation could be the answer to economic and labour feasibility.

“Using robotic equipment on farms could see greater independence for farmers, and a chance for smaller farms to become cost competitive, with less need to employ backpackers for hard labour,” he said.

“Engaging the next generation with the latest technology helps them to see a viable future in agriculture and empowers them to make it happen.”

The WA Agricultural Automation Games are on this Saturday and Sunday, 24-25 August 2024 at Curtin Stadium. Entry is free. The WA Robotics Playoffs commence 8am on both days, while the Innovation Competition will run 8am to 12pm on Sunday 25 August.

Free, fun family activities will also be on offer 10am to 3pm both days, including a cuddly animal farm, face painting, Lego building and lots more.

The WA Agricultural Automation Games are on this Saturday and Sunday, 24-25 August 2024 at Curtin Stadium. Entry is free. The WA Robotics Playoffs commence 8am on both days, while the Innovation Competition will run 8am to 12pm on Sunday 25 August.

Free, fun family activities will also be on offer 10am to 3pm both days, including a cuddly animal farm, face painting, Lego building and lots more.