First VEX Go Expo in Scotland Brings Robotics and STEM to National Mining Museum Scotland
The inaugural VEX Go Expo Scotland took place on 3rd April at National Mining Museum Scotland, Newtongrange, where eight primary schools from across Midlothian gathered to showcase their robotic creations and compete in the Ocean Science Exploration Challenge.
The event was a culmination of months of learning, building and collaboration, with students participating in a project that connected Midlothian’s rich industrial history with the exciting possibilities of STEM careers today and in the future.
The competition saw Rosewell Primary School take first place, Gore Glen Primary securing second and Stobhill Primary finishing in third. The project, a partnership between National Mining Museum Scotland and the National Robotarium, aimed to spark a passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among upper primary school children.
The University of Edinburgh, through a special STEM Community Grant, funded the VEX GO kits that allowed the students to build their own robots and maps, all while learning key lessons about robotics, engineering, and problem-solving.
With nine schools in total participating, students worked together to create their robots and participate in the Ocean Science Exploration Challenge. The VEX Go Expo’s mission is to inspire young learners to pursue STEM topics in education and as potential careers, while also increasing female participation in these fields, improving equality. The event today clearly showed the success of these objectives, with many students expressing interest in pursuing STEM subjects in high school and beyond.
Hannah Clark, a teacher from Rosewell Primary, shared her excitement about the impact of the programme:
“As complete novices when it came to VEX Go, it was quite daunting getting started with the project but, as ever, our learners blew us away with their problem-solving skills, teamwork, and perseverance. We were lucky enough to have 35 young people working with the kit, and it has been a really brilliant chance for them to collaborate across classes and take on the role of teacher when they supported other groups. There is a real buzz about what they have been learning and what they can do next and families have fed back that their children have been going home and talking about the expo, which is great!”
The VEX Go Expo also marked a milestone in the collaboration between the National Robotarium, the UK’s centre for robotics and AI based at Heriot-Watt University , and National Mining Museum Scotland, which focuses on the heritage and future of engineering in Scotland. The event also featured Continuous Professional Learning (CLPL) for teachers, providing valuable support and training throughout the project. The National Robotarium also took part as judges for the competition, helping to celebrate the students’ hard work.
National Mining Museum Scotland is thrilled to have offered this exciting initiative, bringing together past and present technologies in a way that will inspire future generations. Victoria Brown, Education Manager at National Mining Museum, commented, “We are incredibly proud to have hosted this event, which has demonstrated the powerful connection between Scotland’s industrial heritage and modern technological advancements. It’s been amazing to see the enthusiasm and creativity from all the students, and we’re excited to make the VEX Go Expo an annual event with more schools from Midlothian involved in the future.”
Blair Wilson, Industry and School Engagement Lead at the National Robotarium, said: “The VEX Go Expo exemplifies our commitment to developing Scotland’s future robotics talent pipeline. Seeing these young innovators tackle complex challenges with such enthusiasm reinforces why early STEM engagement is critical for our economic future.
“The overwhelming interest we’ve seen from schools demonstrates both the appetite for this type of learning and the resource gap we’re working to address. By partnering with organisations like National Mining Museum Scotland, we’re creating a powerful bridge between Scotland’s industrial heritage and the technology careers of tomorrow, while providing teachers with the support they need to confidently deliver robotics education.”
The VEX Go Expo not only achieved its goal of fostering excitement about STEM education but also created an opportunity for students to work collaboratively, think critically, and see the relevance of their studies to the world of tomorrow.
Visit the National Mining Museum Scotland and find out more here
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NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information about the VEX Go Expo project and future events, please contact:
Victoria Brown, Education Manager at National Mining Museum Scotland at education@nationalminingmuseum.com
