Robotics 'exploding' in Sault schools (6 photos)

Robotics competitions at the Sault and area elementary school level keep on getting bigger and better.

Saturday marked the VEX IQ Robotics Northern Ontario Qualifier, held at Sault College’s Health and Wellness Centre.

“Last year we had 19 teams, and this year we exploded to 35 teams.  The word’s gotten out and the schools are calling me, asking for robotics kits and how to get into competing,” said Jonathan Budau, Superior Heights physics teacher and robotics coordinator for the Algoma District School Board (ADSB).

Several teams won in several different categories Saturday, the overall winner being Team S.M.A.K. from the ADSB’s Francis H. Clergue French Immersion Public School in Sault Ste. Marie.

The S.M.A.K. kids, along with teams from other schools which won in other categories, will go on to the provincials Feb. 18 in Brampton.

“It’s been incredible.  The fact we can have 35 teams here, including a pair of kids from Missarenda Consolidated Public School in Missanabie, teams with 10 kids, we have two or three teams from some schools, we’re just going to keep expanding as far as we can,” Budau told SooToday enthusiastically.

Cheers went up for each team from Moms and Dads, looking on from the Health and Wellness Centre’s sidelines.

“When you see a bunch of kids cheering on a Saturday afternoon because their robot is performing really well, that’s exactly what we want to see happening,” Budau said.

“Even if they don’t win, they still come away with positive experiences and the ability to design a robot, that’s exactly what we want,” Budau said, pointing out these pupils currently make up the teams that will some day perform in workplaces filled with robotic equipment.

The top four teams from December’s Sault and area high school level robotics competition will go on to provincials to be held in St. Catherines Feb. 24.

Team S.M.A.K. also participated in last year’s elementary level provincials, where they earned a judge’s award. 

Pupils in Grades 3 to 8 (elementary level from Grades 3 to 5, and middle school level from Grades 6 to 8) competed, from three different school boards, including the Algoma District School Board (ADSB), Huron-Superior District School Board (H-SCDSB) and Le Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO).

There were 35 teams drawn from 24 schools from the Sault and several other Algoma district communities, including Hornepayne, Desbarats, Blind River, Elliot Lake and Missarenda Consolidated Public School in Missanabie.

This marked the second year robotics competition has been held at the elementary school level in the Sault and area.

Budau said any educator desiring more information on how to get a team of pupils involved in robotics competitions may contact him through Superior Heights Collegiate at (705) 945-7177.

Budau said teams drawn from community groups may also get involved, “or just a group of kids from the same neighbourhood who want to form a team can play…they can play as an independent team (though independent teams would have to pay for their own robotics kits).”

Tenaris, the main sponsor for Saturday’s competition, paid the lion’s share for the robotics kits for each school team, as well as prizes, Budau said.

“We could not do it without our sponsors."

Apart from Tenaris, other sponsors were Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) and Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).

“When you see technology in everything we do today, I get concerned because sometimes people take a very passive role with technology, but these kids today with the robots, I saw something  different, I saw technology as a way for kids to be involved,” said Jorge Mitre, Tenaris Algoma Tubes industrial director, speaking to SooToday Saturday.

“And of course, it will have an impact for those who want to pursue technical careers in the future with a company like Tenaris…it’s good to see technology as also a way to have fun.”  

“I feel very proud to have our company be a sponsor for this kind of event…Sault Ste. Marie needs opportunities to develop its industrial base and I think these kids are developing the necessary skills to do that,” Mitre said.

Other award winners from Saturday's event were:

• R.M. Moore “Megabots”; CREATE Award, for the most innovative and creative design feature their robot creations.
• R.M.Moore “Grapplers”; BUILD Award, for a strong and efficiently built robot.
• Superior Heights I.S. “Team Witcher”; AMAZE award for overall strong scoring and driving ability.
• Holy Family “Flames”; JUDGES Award for impressive all-round scoring and design elements.
• St. Ann “Bulldog-botics”; JUDGES Award for impressive overall driving strategies, teamwork and gameplay strategy.
• Hornepayne PS’s “Technobears”; ENERGY Award, as voted by their peers, for positive enthusiasm, energy and ability to excite the crowds.
• Korah I.S.’s “Colts”; SPORTSMANSHIP Award as voted by their peers who appreciated their support, and assistance, and gracious interactions with the other teams.