The Algoma District School Board’s annual high school VEX Robotics competition took place at Boreal French Immersion Public School Saturday.
Approximately 30 students on 10 teams drawn from Korah, Superior Heights, White Pines, CASS and W.C. Eaket in Blind River participated.
The robotics teams - in a game called High Stakes - were tasked with getting their robots to pick rubber rings off the surface of the school’s gym, travel across the floor for a short distance and lift the rings onto posts.
Judges from the community’s engineering and business fields scored the performance of each team’s robot and referees were present.
“A lot of these students have been involved with the robotics program since elementary school or in high school for a couple of years and it’s a real growth program for them. They’ve really stepped up their game in terms of understanding how to build and design robots to compete in these challenges,” said Mark Carlucci, Algoma District School Board robotics coordinator.
Robotics programs in elementary and secondary schools emphasize the importance of developing skills in science, technology, engineering, and math - otherwise known as STEM - in preparation for the modern work world.
“There are some great opportunities for them in computer science, mechanical engineering, robotics engineering, electrical engineering and mechatronics. We’ve seen a few of our graduates move that way. Some of the kids are shy but here they interact with their team members and other teams,” Carlucci told SooToday.
There’s relatively little 'chalk and talk' learning involved in robotics.
“A lot of it is just diving right in. We have the students working on builds and understanding the process of robotics,” Carlucci said.
Students have been preparing for the annual high school VEX Robotics competition since the beginning of the current school year, bonding as team members and building their robots as an extracurricular activity.
A Korah Collegiate team - composed of Gr. 12 students Samantha Cho, Lars Fransen-Molino, Yaksha Contractor and Aili Luonaranta - competed against other teams Saturday with their robotic creation called ‘The Toaster Oven.’
“We started building it in the middle of September and robotics is every day after school from about 2:30 to 4. We’ve been working on it for all these weeks. This is our second year. It was a lot easier to build this year. My favourite thing about robotics is my team, honestly. I think we’re doing pretty good so far today. I think this is a really good experience,” Cho said.
High school robotics is seen not only as training for an in-demand field but also as an alternative team building exercise for students who aren’t into sports.
“Robotics is a great program. We’ve made a lot of improvements over last year. Last year was an experimental year. Right now we’ve won six events and lost one today. I want to do chemical or mining engineering so this will definitely carry over into my career. We enjoy it,” said Fransen-Molino.
Winning teams from Saturday's competition will head to regional competition in Sudbury in January and then provincials in southern Ontario.
The ADSB's elementary school robotics competition will be held in January.
Saturday’s event also saw Neil McLean, Sault North Rotary past president present a cheque for $5,000 to ADSB’s robotics program. The amount was the second installment of a $15,000 commitment for ADSB robotics made by Sault North Rotary earlier this year.
An ADSB release listing winners of Saturday’s competition follows:
Dec. 15, 2024 – Excitement filled Boreal French Immersion Public School as 10 high school teams from across Algoma showcased their skills in the High Stakes Robotics Competition. Held on Saturday, Dec. 14, this annual event brought together 32 talented students to engage in engineering, programming, and design challenges in an inspiring display of innovation.
This year’s competition featured 32 students from Central Algoma, Korah, Superior Heights, WC Eaket, and White Pines. These teams spent several months designing, building, and programming robots to excel in tasks like securing rings, scoring strategically in positive and negative zones, and achieving the ultimate challenge: elevating their robots on a central structure.
The competition, structured as 2-on-2 matches with randomly assigned partners, required teams to strategize and communicate under tight time constraints. Judged by professionals from the engineering and business communities, the event highlighted not just technical excellence but also innovation, teamwork, and resilience.
Several awards were presented at the conclusion of the competition:
- Excellence Award: 128B from Korah, for outstanding performance in all competition aspects, including design, programming, and gameplay.
- Tournament Champions: Wicked Echo Charlie and Wicked Charlie Echo 2 from WC Eaket, recognized at the winning alliance at the end of the elimination playoff.
- Engineering Award: Cheese Graters from Central Algoma, honored for excellence across design, creativity, and technical execution.
- Robot Skills Champion: 128A from Korah, recognized for the best solo driver and autonomous coding performance.
Several teams, from Korah and WC Eaket, will be competing at a provincial qualifying event at Cambrian College on Saturday, Jan. 10. This event provides them with a chance to advance further and potentially participate in additional competitions across the province, showcasing their skills on even
larger stages.
The next exciting event on the ADSB VEX Robotics calendar is the elementary competition, Rapid Relay, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18. This event promises to bring together some of the brightest young minds in the region, continuing the tradition of innovation and teamwork. Family members, educators, and community leaders gathered to celebrate these remarkable young innovators. Attendees marveled at the ingenuity displayed throughout the event, with many impressed by the students’ ability to solve complex challenges in real time.
“We saw incredible growth in the build quality and problem-solving skills displayed this year. These students are learning, innovating, and achieving more every year,” said Mark Carlucci, ADSB VEX Robotics Coordinator.
“Robotics and coding aren’t just the future - they are the present. These students are building the skills they need to lead in tomorrow’s careers,” Carlucci added.
The High-Stakes Robotics Competition underscores the positive impact of STEM education, inspiring students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and innovate boldly. Events like this serve as a platform for future engineers, programmers, and leaders to shine.
The event was free and open to the public, offering the community a chance to engage with these rising stars in technology and innovation.
“We encourage everyone to consider joining us. Robotics offers an incredible opportunity to build both technical and interpersonal skills in a fun and competitive environment. It’s a journey of growth, learning, and innovation.”
For more information you can connect with your school’s principal or reach out to Mark Carlucci by email.