24 Apr 2025
Fresh from Houston, Texas, the Baked Pickles returned with international insights, unforgettable memories, and inspirational expertise to share with their peers.
They arrived home in Port Macquarie yesterday after proudly representing Australia and Hastings Secondary College at the FIRST LEGO League World Championship. For the team, attending this event had been a long-held dream spanning five years, and their experience at the championship was nothing short of extraordinary.
The four-day event brought together over 160 teams from around 60 countries. Simply qualifying for the World Championship was a remarkable achievement, only 1% of teams worldwide reach this level. The Baked Pickles placed 47th overall, a fantastic result at such a prestigious international competition.
Final rankings are determined based on three key areas, robot performance, judging presentations, and core values. At this elite level, the standard is exceptionally high, and even the smallest details can make a significant difference. Judges commended the team for their creative thinking and problem-solving, which stood out as a significant highlight of the competition.
The team’s first international event came with its share of unexpected challenges, and while the competition didn’t go entirely to plan, it provided valuable insights that will strengthen future performances. Some of the LEGO robot attachments, which are very delicate, were damaged in transit. Despite their best efforts, the team was unable to fully rebuild them in time for the competition, which impacted their robot scoring. Another unexpected hurdle was the lack of presentation screens or projectors at the venue. Fortunately, with the support of an Australian FIRST Robotics team, the Baked Pickles were able to borrow a portable TV, which enabled them to deliver their presentations effectively.
While the team didn’t return with the LEGO Brick trophy they had hoped for, they gained something even more valuable: lifelong memories, international friendships, and a broadened perspective of the world. They connected with peers from across the globe, sharing stories, exchanging contact details, and learning about different cultures.
A favourite saying of our STEM Project Officer and the team's coach, Ryland O'Connell, is “You can’t be what you can’t see.” For many team members, this trip provided their first real insight into the wider world of STEM. During the championship, students had the chance to meet inspiring role models such as Jay Flores (Global STEM Ambassador), Drew Dainer (Australian Deputy Consul General), and the designers behind this year’s LEGO Robotics game board.
After the FLL competition concluded, the students also attended the finals of the FIRST Robotics Competition, the “big robots.” Every Baked Pickle is a proud member of the College’s FRC team, so it was a special moment to cheer on their favourite teams alongside more than 50,000 enthusiastic spectators.
To round off the trip, the team spent a day exploring Houston, with a visit to the NASA Johnson Space Center. The students were inspired by the tour and left buzzing with ideas about careers in space and engineering. They also toured the robotics lab of the Robonauts, one of the world’s most successful FRC teams, sponsored by NASA.
Hastings Secondary College is incredibly proud of the Baked Pickles and grateful to everyone who supported them on this journey. Their achievements, resilience, and commitment exemplify the spirit of the College and the bright future ahead for each team member. We look forward to the team sharing their inspirational experiences with their peers when school returns.