THREE schoolboys from Newcastle Emlyn proudly flew the flag for the UK at a robotics world festival in America.

The trio of Edward Upton, Ben Dodd and Joseph Stadius, all 16 from Year 11 at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn, crossed the Atlantic to represent the country as Team Lightning at the FIRST 'Lego League' World Festival in St Louis, Missouri.

Up against opposition from all over the world, many with big financial backing, the lads did themselves proud as they finished 44th overall in a total entry of 105 teams, representing more than 50 countries.

The competition sees teams research and solve real-world problems just like scientists and engineers.

“It was a fantastic experience to get to travel to America, see all the other teams in action and talk to them and then to get a look around St Louis,” said Edward, after the team battled through the Welsh regional heats in Swansea and the UK and Ireland final in Bristol.

“We had to design an autonomous robot along the theme of interaction with animals and then it had to carry out certain missions and you got points for every successful task.

“We have kept tweaking the robot and we scored 192 points, which was more than double our previous best.”

The trip to the States has certainly inspired the trio, who are keen to pass on their skills and what they have learned to other pupils at the school’s robotics club and are keen to enter future competitions.

“The experience has opened up so many doors and we have met so many people who had similar interests,” added Edward, who along with Ben wants to study computer science in the future, while Joseph is leaning more towards marine biology.

Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn staged a special presentation to thank sponsors and friends of the school who helped raise the £5,000 to send the team to America.

Head teacher Hugh Thomas said: “For a small rural West Wales school to have achieved what they have done is fantastic and we are incredibly proud of them.

“To go to St Louis is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we cannot thank enough our sponsors and those in the community who have helped.

“We have to move with technology and reflect what’s going on and I hope this success helps to inspire other pupils and generates further interest.”

A range of local and national organisations donated towards the trip including Swansea University Technocamps, the IET, Cier Cawdor Cars, Philip Ling Estates, Qinetiq, Cyngor Y Dref, Small Holding Centre, Emlyn Arms, Freemasons, Ededa J, Skillstart Ltd, Melingoed, BTG Protherics, Governors’ collection, Community fund CCC, Emlyn Circle, music department YGE, EESW and parents and friends.