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Over 100 students from Grades 3 to 8 participated in the annual Algoma District School Board VEX Robotics competition, Full Volume, held recently at Boreal French Immersion public school in Sault Ste. Marie.
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Representing 10 schools across the region, the students competed in various challenges requiring design, programming, and problem-solving skills.
The competition challenged students to design, build, and program robots capable of completing complex tasks.
Teams faced off in a dynamic game that required them to collect and score blocks in corner towers, strategizing to earn bonus points by matching colors and achieving equal tower heights. The high-stakes finale saw robots navigate into a designated Supply Zone, testing both technical precision and problem-solving skills under pressure, says a media release by Mark Carlucci, Robotics Co-ordinator, Algoma District School Board.
Beyond the matches, teams presented their designs to judges who assessed creativity, build quality, and strategic planning. Awards were given in various categories, highlighting the exceptional efforts of these young innovators.
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Love Duck from Blind River Public School won the Middle School Excellence Award, while Echo Bay Central Public School’s Team B received the Elementary Excellence Award. In the Teamwork Championship, Love Duck and the Mountain View Mustangs won after a tiebreaker playoff.
Individual achievements included the Robot Skills Championship, won by The Studs from FH Clergue FI, and recognition for technical and creative excellence with awards such as Amaze, Build, Create, and Judges Awards going to teams from Mountain View, Central Algoma, Echo Bay, and FH Clergue. Solo awards tested both programming and driving skills.
Competitors, facing challenges head-on, learned valuable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and problem-solving, the release says. Despite the pressure, the participants, aged between 8 and 13, displayed remarkable tenacity. When faced with technical difficulties, they showed resilience, bringing their robots to the field and striving to contribute as best as they could.
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Winning teams, including Love Duck, The Studs, and Mountain View Mustangs, qualified to compete at an upcoming event in Brampton on Feb. 3. They will vie against 60 other teams, including some of Ontario’s top-ranked, for a chance to advance to the Provincial Championships.
The competition was supported by community partners such as Tenaris, the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie, PEO, OACETT, and the Algoma District School Board. Volunteers, including judges, referees, and support staff, facilitated the event.
The ADSB VEX Robotics program has been active in Algoma District for over a decade, offering an alternative to traditional team sports, catering to those with a passion for technology and teamwork, providing educational opportunities focused on robotics and technology.
For more information about the program or to participate, visit the ADSB website.
From a media release
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