Help Baked Pickles Take Aussie Innovation to World Finals
Donation protected
We’re off to Houston!
We are the Baked Pickles, a team of young innovators from Hastings Secondary College in Port Macquarie, who were crowned the 2024 National Champions at the FIRST LEGO League Australian Championship.
After taking first place - and achieving a record-breaking robotics score – we have earned the chance to represent Australia on the world stage at the FIRST LEGO League World Championships in Houston, Texas in April 2025. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we are asking for your help to make it happen.
What is FIRST LEGO League?
FIRST LEGO League is more than just a robotics competition. It challenges teams to think critically, innovate, and collaborate. It’s built around three key components:
The Robotics Challenge
Teams design, build, and program LEGO robots to complete themed missions, with this year’s challenge focusing on the ocean. The Baked Pickles not only won first place but also set a record-breaking robotics score in Australia, thanks to next-level coding, custom-built attachments, and strategic problem-solving under pressure, which you can see here:
The Innovation Project: Saving Lives at Sea
The team tackled a real-world challenge: What happens when someone falls overboard from a cruise ship? Our drone and GPS tracking system improves rescue response times by detecting falls instantly, deploying a GPS-equipped flotation device, and launching a drone to provide real-time visuals for rescuers. This innovation increases the chances of a successful rescue and could save lives at sea.
Core Values & Teamwork
FLL isn’t just about robots—it’s about collaboration, creativity, and perseverance. The Baked Pickles embody these values with a passion for problem-solving, a strong, supportive team spirit and a mix of serious innovation and fun.
Which leads us to …. why the "Baked Pickles"?
Great question! Honestly, there’s no deep meaning - it started as an inside joke and stuck. But it perfectly reflects our creative thinking, our ability to tackle big challenges while having fun, and the strong bond we share as a team. Innovation isn’t just about technical skills - it’s about embracing the unexpected, working together, and making a difference. And that’s exactly what we do.
Why We Need Your Support and How You Can Help
The cost of travel, accommodation, and competition fees is enormous, and as a public school team, we don’t have deep resources to fund this journey.
Every dollar you contribute helps us compete on the world stage and push us to new heights. We know there are many worthy causes out there, and we feel incredibly lucky to have this opportunity, but if you’re able to support us, we’d be truly grateful.
Whether it’s $5 or $50, every contribution makes a difference and gets us one step closer to Houston to represent Australia. If you can't donate, please help us by sharing our campaign to spread the word.
A word of thanks from the Baked Pickles ...
Thank you for believing in young Aussie innovators!
Organizer
Tristan Murray
Organizer
Thrumster, NSW