March 25, 2009
DSBN Students Gear Up for Robotics Competition
Beginning March 26, Mississauga’s Hershey Centre will be a cacophony of gnashing gears, whirring motors and clanking metal as the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Greater Toronto Regional Competition kicks off.
Two DSBN schools, Governor Simcoe Secondary and Westlane Secondary, will be right in the middle of all the action. Governor Simcoe’s Simbotics team and Westlane’s Spartonics will be competing against 58 other secondary schools from across Canada and the U.S. for an invitation to the world championships in Atlanta, Georgia.
The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules. This year’s competition theme is “Lunacy”, a nod to the 40th anniversary of NASA’s moon landing.
“For these competitions especially, it is essential to have developed a strong network of partnerships. Each robotics team across the DSBN has put together an impressive network of professionals and mentors who offer their guidance and expertise to our students. That web of support makes this process a tremendous learning experience for students,” says Greg Phillips, Governor Simcoe Teacher.
Good luck to both teams!
Click here to listen to Phillips detail the competition on 610 CKTB’s Niagara at Noon program.