A competition hits Georgian College today that will see teamwork, games, awards and battling robots.
The FIRST Robotics battle makes its second stop at Barrie’s local college and will see 28 teams made up of high school students compete for not only bragging rights but also awards at Sunday’s finale. Mark Gatenby is not only the volunteer coordinator for the event but he is also part of the college’s Engineering and Environmental Technologies department. Gatenby says that while the event may sound like kids battling with robots, there is a lot of work and data that goes into these competitions.
“In January it is decided which game will be played and then the teams get to work designing their robots,” said Gatenby. “This year it is a game involving milk crates and maneuvering them along a course the size of a basketball court. The teams have had six weeks to build and perfect their robots and are ready for this weekend. It is quite the event with many people on-hand to help.”
Each team has at least 10 students and a mentor as well who is able to help guide. Sponsors are sought out as well and teams usually meet a few times a year with many competitions happening throughout the country. Gatenby’s favourite part of the event is not only seeing kids using their creativity to make something operate, but the camaraderie that is shown between teams in the event.
“I do enjoy seeing the teams come up with really neat designs and robots that become fully functional when you know it probably started as pencil to paper,” said Gatenby. “But my absolute favourite part is the teamwork between competitors; if a team has lost a part, someone else from a completely different squad will lend what is needed. It is a competition for sure, but everyone helps each other so as to see who does get the best results.”
The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics started in 2001 and aims to help high school students and elementary students learn more about technology and engineering. While there are awards for the winning teams, there are also potential university scholarships as well which makes the events so dire to some students who are looking to further their education in the engineering field. The robotics events are becoming a big deal with 3,650 teams worldwide and over 91,000 participants. Gatenby is amazed by the involvement from kids and hopes it becomes even bigger as time goes on.
“I really feel that the popularity is because of how exciting these things are,” said Gatenby. “Kids love robots and there is no need to outgrow that, embrace it and make it work for you as you get older. I also think the competitions are popular because of the many awards are not just limited to technology or the games; there are awards for best website, best rookie, best teamwork and even awards on your business plan. We’re very proud of the involvement of not just the kids but the judges, mentors, sponsors and volunteers who make this happen.”
The winning team will go to the districts at the Mississauga Hershey Centre in April and then it could be off to the world championships in Houston and Detroit.
The event at the Georgian College Athletics Centre runs today until Sunday with times on the website.