A total of eight robotics teams from the Halton District School Board competed at the FIRST Ontario Provincial Championship in Hamilton April 6-8, resulting in four of them qualifying for the World FIRST Robotic Championship in Texas. Schools participating included Aldershot School, Burlington Central School, Craig Kielburger SS, Garth Webb SS, Georgetown District HS, M.M. Robinson HS and Oakville Trafalgar HS (with two teams).
Each HDSB team qualified for the provincial competition based on their results from taking part in regional competitions including those held at Humber College, Waterloo and York universities. This provincial competition is a qualifier for the World FIRST Robotic Championship to be held April 19-22 in Houston, Texas.
MM Robinson 2200, Craig Kielburger SS 4992, Garth Webb SS 5409 and Georgetown DHS 4976 teams qualified for the world championship; Garth Webb and GDHS will attend and represent the HDSB.
"Many thanks are extended to all of the coaches, mentors, volunteers and sponsors that provide students with this extremely valuable opportunity that supports the development of critical STEM and technological skills such as manufacturing, electronics, programming, CAD/CAM, pneumatics, design and transferable skills such as teamwork, problem solving and communication," says Donna Norrie, Specialist High Skills Major Lead at the Halton District School Board. "This has been a truly amazing experience for our students."
Established in 2001, FIRST Robotics inspires young people to be leaders and innovators in science and technology by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills to inspire innovation and foster self-confidence, communication and leadership.
Other achievements at the Ontario competition included:
- MMR winning the Innovation in Control Award
- GWSS winning the Excellence in Engineering Award
- Aldershot Lions winning Highest Rookie Seed Award and the Rookie All Star Award
