Science boffins set off for Minnesota (From Gazette Series)

Science boffins set off for Minnesota

11:45am Wednesday 30th April 2008 in

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A GROUP of high-tech whiz kids from Winterbourne took off for a "trip of a lifetime" to America today.

The whole of St Michael's Primary School waved goodbye to the nine science boffins who left for their five-day visit to Minnesota, in Minneapolis, this morning.

The children, all aged between nine and 11, won the chance to represent the UK in a robotic competition after coming second in the national finals.

The team have been working on their robo-moves for months and will show off their skills at the High Tech Kids First Lego League Open Internationals at the University of Minnesota.

Ten-year-old Aanand Mistry, who operates the team's robot Mike, said: "I am excited but nervous. I have never been that far before but my dad is coming with me."

The St Michael's students will be the youngest taking part in the competition and the only team from the UK, as the Irish school who won the national finals decided not to go.

The children, who are all members of after-school club Robotics, helped to raise £9,000 to finance the trip.

They held a bring and buy sale, parents organised a race night and the school held a non-uniform day.

Laura Preston, whose daughter Michaela, 10, is in the team, said: "Everyone is very excited. We really didn't think we would raise the money so it is brilliant.

"They have done so well to get this far and are so looking forward to it."

They will be chaperoned by headteacher Adrian Vye and three parents.

The children will have to prove their control of the robot they have built entirely from Lego by manoeuvring it within certain specifications on a map and making it build dams, move pylons and other tasks.

Deputy headteacher Susan Weaver said: "Once they were offered the chance to go we had to move heaven and earth to ensure they could.

"This is the chance of a lifetime and the whole school is behind them.

"It is fantastic for them and they will be telling the rest of the school about their trip when they return to school on Wednesday."