21 October 2025
Students from two public high schools have excelled when they put their robotic skills to the test in the annual WA Robotics Playoffs (WARP), claiming first and second place.
Lynwood Senior High School students won the event and the team from Kalamunda Senior High School claimed second spot, competing against a total of 30 teams from WA schools and universities.
Students worked hard on building their robot.
The three-day event, held at Curtin University, encourages students to build interest in STEM careers and pursue science in a fun, challenging and creative way.
Mathematics and science teacher at Kalamunda Senior High School, Ian McMullen, said it’s the third year that the school’s STEM club has participated in the competition as Team 9191 – My Chemical Robots.
It’s also the second time the students have placed second.
“The STEM club focuses on building STEM capabilities and encouraging pathways into STEM careers,” he said.
“Students compete in a range of events and competitions throughout the year, with WARP being the largest.”
Students had until Term 3 to design, build and code a fully functioning robot capable of completing the specific tasks outlined in the game.
Former STEM club members, who are currently university students, returned to mentor the current team.
“Students met multiple times a week throughout the school year to design, construct, code and test their robot,” Mr McMullen said.
The 'My Chemical Robots' team had to complete a series of challenges with their robot.
“The process includes learning and applying skills in electronics, coding, 3D printing, laser cutting, metalwork and woodwork.”
After two days of qualifying rounds, students formed alliances with two other teams to compete in the finals. Lynwood Senior High School joined forces with a Curtin University team and Scotch College team. Kalamunda Senior High School worked with two Hale School teams.
Mr McMullen said the students chose two Hale School teams because they thought the robot capabilities of the teams complemented theirs.
This year’s challenge was a ‘reefscape’. Robots had to remove algae (large balls), from a reef (metal frame), to throw in a processing plant (suspended net) or place new coral (plastic pipe) back onto the reef.
Year 11 student, Jacob Clephas, has been involved with the STEM club since Year 7 and has also worked with the Curtin University FIRST team, which has competed at a global level.
Jacob said building the robot was a long, but rewarding, process.
“We started with basic ideas and gradually developed a full design, testing and improving it over time,” he said.
“I worked mainly on computer-aided design (CAD) and construction. Making sure our robot design would meet all the requirements and function correctly.”
Mr McMullen said he was proud of recent achievements and also of how much the club has grown over the years.
Students at Kalamunda Senior High School are kicking goals at the WARP.
“Students gain a great deal from their involvement and choose to stay connected even after graduating,” he said.
The Kalamunda Senior High School team also won the Creativity Award for their robot and the team from Lynwood Senior High School won the Community Member Award.
The team from the two schools will now go to the national FRC Southern Cross Regionals competition in Sydney next year. If they win, they’ll head to Houston, USA to compete in the FIRST Championship.
“It was amazing to come second, especially knowing we were up against university teams. Winning the Creativity Award was a huge bonus,” Jacob said.
“Being part of the STEM Club has taught me so much, not just technical skills, but teamwork and leadership too.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved and hope I can come back as a mentor when I graduate next year.”
Read more about the challenge here.
See the full West Australian Robotics Playoffs 2025 results.