“With more than 2,200 students participating this year, it’s been wonderful to witness their creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.”
Young engineers and future minds stole the show at the 10th annual Analog Devices Primary School Robotics Competition last weekend, April 5 and 6, 2025, with students at Killoughteen National School, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, being crowned the 2025 Analog Devices Primary School Robotics Champions.
Taking place on Analog Devices’ Raheen campus in Limerick, the final featured more than 100 students battling it out in a thrilling sumo-style robot battle, the culmination of months of preparation and STEM learning. Following a heart-stopping round of combat, Liam Collins, Freya Smith and Oisin O’Connor of Killoughteen N.S. took home the top spot, with runners-up St. Joseph’s N.S. Ballybrown following close behind.
This year was a year of milestones, with the 10th birthday of the competition being marked by going big across Munster for the first time. The competition had started in January, with free robotics workshops provided to 280 students from 80 primary schools courtesy of a partnership deal with LearnIt. Of these, 32 schools reached the grand finale, with schools from Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, and Cork.
Mostly 5th and 6th class students spent the morning of Saturday constructing and coding their robots before clashing in the afternoon battle. Teams were not only assessed on battle performance but teamwork, creativity, design, and poster presentation as well.
Fiona Treacy, Managing Director of Industrial Automation at Analog Devices, was struck by the event’s influence: “Analog Devices is thrilled with the success of our Primary School Robotics Competition as we continue to lead the way in STEM education. With more than 2,200 students participating this year, it’s been wonderful to witness their creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. We look forward to inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators.”
Over a decade, the initiative has sent close to 9,000 students into experiential robotics through interactive, classroom-level workshops using LEGO kits and hands-on coding challenges.
The 2025 event again demonstrated that innovation starts early and, in this case, with a strong LEGO-powered initiative.
Participating Schools in 2025 Analog Devices Robotics Schools Grand Finale Competition:
- Ahane N.S. Lisnagry, Co Limerick
- Bruree N.S., Co. Limerick
- Caherline N.S., Caherconlish, Co. Limerick
- Killoughteen N.S., Newcastle West, Co. Limerick (Winners)
- Le Chéile N.S., Roxboro Road, Co. Limerick
- Limerick Educate Together, Mungret, Co. Limerick
- Limerick School Project, O’Connell Avenue, Co. Limerick
- Monagea N.S., Newcastle West, Co. Limerick
- Our Lady of Lourdes, Rosbrien, Co. Limerick
- Pallaskenry N.S., Co. Limerick
- Scoil Dean Cussen, Bruff, Co. Limerick
- Scoil Íde , Corbally, Co. Limerick (Quarter-Finals)
- Scoil Mhuire Broadford, Co Limerick
- Scoil Mocheallóg, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick
- St. James N.S.,Cappagh, Co Limerick
- St. Nessan’s, Mungret, Co. Limerick
- St. Joseph’s N.S., Ballybrown, Co. Limerick (Runners Up)
- St. Paul’s N.S., Dooradoyle, Co. Limerick
- CBS Ennis, Co. Clare
- Inchicronan Central N.S., Crusheen, Co Clare
- Killaloe Boys N.S., Killaloe, Co. Clare
- Knockanean N.S., Ennis, Co Clare (Quarter-finals)
- Lissycasey N.S., Ennis, Co. Clare
- Scariff N.S., Co. Clare (Quarter-Finals)
- Carrig N.S., Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
- Gaelscoil Aonach Urmhumhan , Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
- Kiladangan N.S.,Nenagh Tipperary
- Lissenhall N.S., Nenagh, Co. Tipperary (Semi-finals)
- Lisvernane N.S., Aherlow, Co.Tipperary (Semi-finals)
- Liscarroll N.S., Mallow, Co Cork (Quarter-finals)
- Shandrum N.S., Newtownshandrum, Co Cork