Bowmanville Teams Place First and Second at Ontario Tech Robotics Competition
Hundreds of students from Grades 7 to 12 took part in the 17th annual Engineering Robotics Competition at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa on November 30, according to the university. The event featured 80 teams and a total of 417 students.
The competition focuses on students from various communities, including Bowmanville and the wider Durham Region, providing an opportunity for local youth to participate in a regional science and technology event. Recognizing student achievements at such gatherings highlights ongoing engagement with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs close to home.
According to Ontario Tech University, student teams designed, built, and programmed robots known as 'Sumo Bots' using LEGO Mindstorm technology. Teams also prepared posters displaying their robot designs and detailing their build process. In the final rounds, robots faced off in elimination matches with the goal of being the last remaining competitor in the arena.
Judges for the 2024 competition were Eda Aydin, Jana Abou-Ziki, Jerry Kan, and Varaprasad Oruqanti, all from the university's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.
Ontario Tech University reported that Team 78 and Team 33, both from St. Stephen Secondary School in Bowmanville, won first and second place. Team 23 from Father Michael Goetz Secondary School in Mississauga placed third.
Other awards announced by the university included the Referees’ Award for Sportsmanship, presented to Team 13 from Scarborough Academy for Technological, Environmental and Computer Studies (SATEC) and Team 36 from Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby. The Women in Engineering Award went to Team 36 from Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby and Team 23 from Father Michael Goetz Secondary School in Mississauga. For Most Novel Design, Team 40 from Ajax High School and Team 26 from Pickering High School were recognized. Best Engineering Design was awarded to Team 27 from Dr. Robert Thornton Public School in Whitby and Team 47 from W. Sherwood Fox Public School in London. Best Poster Design went to Team 34 from Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby and Team 62 from Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute in Scarborough. The Best Coach/Mentor Award was presented to Shawn van Andel from Knox Christian School in Bowmanville and to Ryan and Michael from Toronto District Christian High School, according to Ontario Tech University.
Ontario Tech stated that the event was organized by its Engineering Outreach unit, which provides engineering programs for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 from Durham Region and surrounding areas.