Pelton team home after competing in Texas World Robotics championship

The robotics stars from Pelton Primary School in County Durham took Dallas by storm on April 30 as they jetted to America to compete with over 800 other schools from across the world.

The Durham youngsters were joined by students from the likes of Australia, Japan and Hawaii as they played the game of the year entitled ‘slapshot’ after they qualified through regional and national leagues here in the UK.

Read more: Pelton robotics stars qualify for Dallas world championships

The kids pose for a quick picture outside the building. (Image: PELTON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL)

Competing in the engineering division, Pelton’s team, known as the 'Pelton Piranha's' comprised of year five and six students placed 70th out of 76th in what was a highly fought competition.

Miss Laws, who co-runs the team with colleague Miss Smith, spoke to The Northern Echo following the “amazing” competition and trip.

She said: “It was absolutely incredible. We didn’t win, but we had a great time and it was a massive learning curve.

“They learned to communicate with people they had just met and swapped flags and items with them. The kids got to collect stickers and armbands – it was lovely.”

The team took to the city to see the sights in Dallas. (Image: PELTON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL)

As well as the much-anticipated competition, the group had the chance to explore Dallas and sightsee, even taking in the sights at Fort Worth’s cowboy stockyard.

Miss Laws said: “We went to all the cowboy shops and bought things like beef jerky. They tried burgers, pizza and hot dogs.

“They just had a great time, and it was such a great experience for them.”

Miss Laws told the Echo one of the most memorable parts of the trip was the reception the team was given from the other competitors as they loved the kids British accents.

She said: “They all loved the British accent. All the American teams were excited to play with us because they kept asking the kids to say certain words.

“They loved it, they were all getting so much attention everywhere they went!”

Making some last minute adjustments to their robot. (Image: PELTON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL)

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As the team returned home, fellow pupils of Pelton Community Primary welcomed the robotics stars back with open arms as they sat “in awe” in an assembly reflecting on their achievements.

Two of the team participating on competition day. (Image: PELTON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL)

Miss Laws added: “From the double decker aeroplane to the competition and sightseeing, the other children were in complete awe at what they had achieved.

“They were so happy to celebrate their success with them.”

Now, the team at Pelton have their sights set on the new game, entitled ‘full volume’, as they work towards hopefully qualifying and attending next years’ championships.