The robots will take control this weekend at annual tournament

The Algoma District School Board (ADSB) will host the annual VEX IQ Robotics Challenge this Saturday at Boreal French Immersion Public School.

More than 30 teams and over 100 students in Grades 3 through 8 from across the Algoma District will compete starting at 9 a.m.

"Students have been dedicatedly working since September, utilizing the VEX IQ platform to design, build, and program their robots," says a news release from ADSB. "These machines are marvels of student engineering, designed to maximize scoring and work as effective partner robots."

Full text of the release follows:

The new year ushers in an era of innovation and excitement with the annual VEX IQ Robotics Challenge. This Saturday, Jan. 13, over 100 young minds from across Algoma will converge at Boreal French Immersion Public School to showcase their ingenuity in the VEX IQ competition ‘Full Volume’. More than 30 teams, comprising students from Grades 3 to 8, will engage in an inspiring display of technology and teamwork.

In this cooperative challenge, participants will use robotics designed and built over the school year to navigate the game field. Their objective: to efficiently collect and deposit variously sized cubes into designated containers, followed by maneuvering over (or under) a fence in the bonus parking zone. This exercise not only tests their robotic designs but also emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking and collaboration.

Students have been dedicatedly working since September, utilizing the VEX IQ platform to design, build, and program their robots. These machines are marvels of student engineering, designed to maximize scoring and work as effective partner robots. The event features a series of 2-on-0 matches, where teams are randomly paired to score as many points as possible within a series of intense one-minute matches. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with matches running from 9 a.m. until early afternoon, leading to the highly anticipated playoff rounds.

Beyond the thrill of competition, this event stands as a testament to the power of STEM education. It nurtures young talents in robotics, programming, and engineering, fostering essential skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity. These students are not just competitors; they are the future innovators and leaders of our community.

The event is more than a competition; it's a celebration of young talent and technological advancement. We warmly invite the public to witness this spectacle and support these bright young minds. Admission is free, and the experience is priceless. Join us in cheering for the future of technology and innovation.