HAMILTON-WENTWORTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
HWCDSB Students Take On the 2025 FIRST LEGO League Challenge

On November 29, students from several Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board elementary schools participated in the 10th Annual FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge Qualifier.

The event brought together 18 HWCDSB teams to design, build and program autonomous LEGO robots capable of completing a series of real world themed missions. In addition to the robotics component, each team researched and presented a proposed solution to a real world problem, demonstrating critical thinking, collaboration and problem solving.

This year's FLL theme, UNEARTHED, invited students to explore how people discover and share new ideas, artifacts and knowledge about the world around them. Teams examined archaeology, history and technology and explored how what we learn can inform and shape the future.

"Each season, students bring fresh ideas, incredible teamwork and genuine excitement for learning at our Qualifier," said Jenna Frank, Tournament Director. "This year's event very much represented a true pinnacle in the growth of robotics and STEM education within the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board. The innovation, curiosity and creativity of our students show us just how bright the future can be."

The FLL Challenge, part of the global FIRST Robotics program, encourages students aged 9 to 14 to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) principles in a fun, hands-on competition setting. Guided by coaches and mentors, students develop skills in robotics and coding as well as project management, presentation skills and teamwork while demonstrating FIRST's Core Values of discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork and fun.

Award Winners
Champion's Award: #55748 RoboBears
Robot Performance: #60211 EagleTech Innovators
Robot Design: #41337 CM Marauders
Innovation Project: #73108 St. Thomas the Apostle Robocats
Core Values: #73700 HNOJ Buzz Bots
Peer Award: #41337 CM Marauders

Teams Advancing to the Next Level
#55748 RoboBears
#60211 EagleTech Innovators
#73108 St. Thomas the Apostle Robocats
#73700 HNOJ Buzz Bots

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board congratulates all participating students and extends appreciation to the teachers, mentors, volunteers and organizers who supported this year's competition.