There was an air of excitement as the Elmira District Secondary School (EDSS) Robotics Team gathered recently to learn about this year's FIRST Robotics Competition theme.
The EDSS Robotics team is made up of 43 students, three dedicated teachers, and a network of industry mentors and sponsors. When this year's theme, REEFSCAPE, was announced, the team got straight to work, devoting weeknights and Saturdays to designing, building, programming, and marketing their robot a testament to their commitment.
The REEFSCAPE theme brings focus on strengthening underwater habitats, like coral reefs, through engineering and manufacturing. Robots could be expected to complete tasks such as collecting "coral" and "algae" and delivering them to a designated "reef" or "barge." These challenges promote collaboration, innovation, and STEM skills, while also raising awareness and understanding about the importance of ocean conservation.
Regional Competitions took place in March. After months of design, the team crafted their most reliable robot yet. Their first competition was at Durham College in Oshawa. Prior to the competition, the team experienced some challenges with the robot, but were able to fix the issues before the matches began.
The team competed admirably and finished fourth place overall. They also took home the Sustainability Award, which recognizes a team that has developed sustainable practices to have a positive environmental impact and achieve long-term continuity. The team's Safety Captain, Cole, also won his third Safety All Star Award, voted on by students from all the teams. The award speaks volumes about Cole's impact and dedication to cultivating safe, respectful and secure environments.
The next competition was held at the University of Waterloo. Here, the EDSS Robotics Team faced some of the best teams in Ontario, including World Record holders. The team took home third place, another Safety All Star Award, and the Autonomous Award, which celebrates the team that has demonstrated consistent, reliable, high-performance robot operation during autonomously managed actions.
The season ended with an array of impressive achievements. The team finished 18th out of 130 teams in Ontario, placing them in the top 14%. Nationally, they were 18th out of 193 teams - an incredible top 10% finish. Globally, they landed 167th out of 3,690 teams, soaring into the top 5%. These results secured their qualification for the World Championship.
Though they chose not to attend the World Championship this year, the team's journey was nothing short of extraordinary. It was a season filled with learning, camaraderie, and triumphs - proof that their dedication and passion could lead them to great heights. And while this chapter closed, the students, teachers, and mentors know their story is far from over.
