Durham College hosts and sponsors epic ocean-themed FIRST Robotics Competition

More than 30 high school-aged teams embraced a thrilling, ocean-themed challenge at the FIRST Robotics Competition, which was hosted and sponsored by Durham College (DC) last weekend.

Around 1,200 high school students, parents, mentors and supporters from across Ontario converged in DC’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre on March 15 and 16 for the regional competition where teams looked to earn a spot in the Provincial Championships.

DC President Dr. Elaine Popp was on hand to welcome competitors at the opening ceremonies for the event.

“At DC, we are committed to fostering innovation and hands-on learning, equipping students with the skills needed to excel in today’s evolving technological landscape,” she said. “The FIRST Robotics Competition embodies these same values while providing participants with invaluable experience, lifelong friendships, and a passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).”

In the lead up to the competition, teams applied STEM knowledge and problem-solving skills to build and program 120-pound robots. Then, over the course of the weekend, teams deployed their robots in the alliance-based REEFSCAPE challenge aimed at encouraging them to explore STEM through the lens of sustainability and underwater ecosystems. During each match, two competing alliances used their robots to collect coral-themed pieces from human players and score them on the reef as well as dislodging and scoring algae-themed pieces.

After two days of action-packed competition, three teams were named event winners of the FIRST Robotics Ontario District Competition at Durham College: W.A.F.F.L.E.S. from W.A.F.F.L.E.S. Community Robotics in Kingston, Knight Owls from Northern Secondary School in Toronto and Wild WYRE from IE Weldon Secondary School in Lindsay. The prestigious FIRST Impact Award, honouring the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and embodies the purpose and goal of FIRST, went to ACCN UMOJA from African Canadian Christian Network in Scarborough.