Cumbrian school students are set to take on a robotics challenge to solve a real-world nuclear problem.
This five-week 'Robotics School Sprint' is being run by Cumbria-based organisations RAICo (Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration) and the Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH).
It will see teams from West Coast Sixth Form Centre, Energy Coast UTC and Lakes College West Cumbria design, build and program robots to perform a high-hazard waste handling task, moving hazardous materials into a designated storage area.
The challenge is designed to simulate real scenarios faced by the nuclear industry.
Hollie Johnston, project manager at RAICo, said: "Nuclear remains an important employer in Cumbria, with a wide range of exciting careers that use cutting-edge technology.
"Robotics and AI are playing a bigger role every year, from cleaning up nuclear sites to shaping the future of fusion energy.
"Projects like this help young people explore these careers early on, build confidence in STEM skills, and see how they could be part of the region’s future workforce."
Students studying A Levels and T Levels will take part in weekly sessions.
The workshops will focus on skills in robotics, programming and engineering, and will be delivered with support from professionals working in the sector.
Now in its third year, the challenge aims to give students real-world experience with industry problems and exposure to potential career paths.
Hannah Pears, skills lead at iSH, said: "This programme is about making careers in robotics and AI feel accessible and achievable.
"Students gain first-hand experience of what working on a real challenge looks like and develop valuable, practical skills.
"Just as importantly, they meet people already working in these fields locally, which helps bring those career paths to life and makes them feel within reach.
"This is how we are building the next generation of talent and strengthening the future pipeline into higher technical education and careers, supporting the workforce needs for local companies across the Cumbria Robotics Cluster."
RAICo and iSH are inviting interest from potential partners who wish to support future editions of the school sprint programme.
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