AccuBots in Schools: Antweight Robotics That Teach STEM

At Accu, we understand the importance of STEM and how getting hands-on in the engineering field can pave the way for a student's future. That’s why we’ve begun to pilot our first-ever STEM initiative with Holmfirth High School. 

Over the last academic term, we worked with the Robotics Society at Holmfirth High School to turn classroom concepts into working Antweight combat robots with the goal to build practical engineering experience that incorporates CAD, electronics, 3D printing and more. 

After months of design iteration, in July, we welcomed the teams to Accu for the finale in our very own Antweight AccuBots arena. Five student robots met a handful of our house bots, with only one taking the win. Read on to find out who.

Why Antweight Combat Robots?

The choice to have students create an Antweight combat robot stemmed from our own internal initiatives, AccuBots. Formed through the Accu Robotics Society, it was originally a way to teach members of Accu CAD skills and also get hands-on with the precision components we sell. With the foundations laid down, it was an easy choice to transition this over to teach students how to build one and learn in the process.

But what even are Antweight combat robots? In short, Antweight combat robots are just like the robots you may have seen on Robot Wars, only shrunken down and 3D printed to weigh less than 150g and be smaller than 15cm squared.

As a side note, if you want the nuts and bolts of building your own, read our full article on how to build an Antweight combat robot for a parts list, CAD tips and setup steps.

Why We’re Taking Robot Combat Into Schools

Put simply, the UK needs more engineers. About 20% of jobs are in engineering and technology, but around 25% of vacancies are for engineers. Demand is higher than supply. To address this, a practical solution begins in school, with meaningful and exciting projects that make STEM feel tangible.

The key things to understand about building an antweight combat robot are that it builds upon many STEM competencies, such as CAD, 3D printing, electronics, metrology, engineering, safety and teamwork. Most importantly, though, it’s fun and sure to get students excited to learn about engineering!

The Skills Pupils Practice

Throughout the program, naturally, the students got hands-on experience in these skills, just to name a few:

• CAD for manufacturing: Learning CAD alongside understanding tolerances, clearances and design‑for‑assembly.

• 3D printing: Material choice, wall counts and infill to hit strength‑to‑weight targets.

• Programming & control: Calibrating ESCs/servos, mapping controls and setting failsafes.

• Mechanical design: Drivetrains, traction, gearing and weight budgeting.

• Electronics: Power distribution, soldering, connectors and safe Li‑Po handling.

• Spec sheets & parts selection: Reading thread sizes/pitches (e.g. M2/M3), choosing materials and designing to standard component sizes.

• Testing & teamwork: Iteration, failure analysis, roles and clear documentation.

The AccuBots STEM Pilot

At the outset, we met with Holmfirth High School's Robotics Society, already hands‑on with FIRST Robotics, to set aims, gather feedback, outline the Antweight class and cover safety.

We then agreed on the support package with the tutor: we would supply parts and components where needed, give students time with our engineers and donate our slimline combat arena for controlled prototyping.

To bring more pupils in, our team ran a whole‑year assembly to outline the pilot. The Physics teacher, Jon Woodhouse, took on the Head Teacher Ben Stitchmen in the arena, which made the outcomes real and widened interest beyond the club.

The pilot scheme ran for 6–8 weeks with clear milestones and check‑ins. Our Lead Engineer, Patrick Faulkner, led the technical reviews on site, with Tony Mcgrath coordinating logistics. Milestones covered CAD and early prototypes, parts handover and print checks, wiring and drive integration, then a shakedown with driver practice. Between sessions, we answered student questions via email.

Finally, the teams came to Accu HQ in Brockholes to fight. All five student robots passed size, weight and failsafe inspections before three‑minute bouts in our enclosed arena. Standards were high, tidy wiring, neat assemblies and balanced designs. It all culminated with Circuit Breaker, a 14‑year‑old student's flipper robot, taking the overall win, with Accu house robots adding extra match‑ups for practice.

All this goes to show that skilled driving can overcome even the toughest weapon designs. 

What’s next: a STEM Combat Robotics League

This pilot was a trial run for a potentially larger plan: rolling AccuBots out to multiple local schools and building a STEM combat robotics initiative that spans the West Yorkshire combined authority.

With the potential of getting more schools involved, the plan would be to host the finals at Accu Stadium, giving pupils a platform to present designs, compete and connect with engineers from Accu and surrounding businesses too.

Schools interested in joining can fill out our interest form by clicking the button below:

SIGN UP FOR ACCUBOTS IN YOUR SCHOOL