Pierrefonds Community High School hosts its 4th annual Robotics Competition.
by Helena Tsitouras
27 teams across 10 Elementary and High schools gathered around the school’s library as PCHS’ robotics teacher Doug Collins and his team of volunteers unveiled this year’s challenge: “The Wall”. Teams needed to build, then adapt a robot that could carry itself over walls of varying obstacles and difficulty.
The first challenge was introduced upon entry. Students would need to build a robot that could lift itself over a wall built of wood. After completing that challenge, the next challenge was introduced in the afternoon. A tarp was removed to unveil a course with multiple walls with different obstacles. Students were tasked with adapting their robot to be able to climb the multiple walls, stay within the limits of their lane, and have the robot stop automatically at the finish line.
The idea for this robotics competition came when PCHS Robotics Teacher, Doug Collins attended robotics competition. Collins recognized that the usual format involved teams preparing their robots ahead of time and thought it would be interesting to have teams build their robots based off surprise challenges. This would cause participants to use innovation, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
One student highlighted teamwork as her favourite take away from the event. Mariam F, grade 6 student from St. Charles Elementary school explained her team’s mentality in this competition, “We always listen to each other’s ideas, and if it doesn’t work, we don’t give up and we go to another project.”
As students worked enthusiastically on their robots, the library was filled with energy. Teams rushed to find different elements to add to their bots, while sounds of cheers appeared from different corners of the room as robots successfully defeated the wall. In the end, Westwood Senior High School were crowned the champion of this year’s event.
The Westwood Senior robotic club was started after school and after 8 sessions, two teams of students built the appropriate LEGO robot, programmed it to move forward and use a colour sensor appropriately, and it successfully navigated the obstacle course and take home the top prize! three walls.
Congratulations Westwood!
This event was made possible thanks to Doug Collins and his impressive team of robotics volunteers and mentors. As one of the only LBPSB events that brings Elementary Schools and High Schools together, we look forward to seeing what next year’s challenge brings.
One LBPSB student had such an enjoyable experience at Pierrefonds Community High School that day that he decided to write to the Pearson News.
John Rennie’s Experience at Robotics Tournament
This year, the John Rennie Robotics Team participated in the
PCHS invitational robotics challenge. In this challenge, teams must
build a robot capable of overcoming a challenge revealed at the event.
This year the challenge was “Wall Conqueror”, where LEGO robots
must “conquer” large vertical walls to reach the finish line.
This year, the robotics team had many new members, and it was
our first time working together as a team. When the challenge was
revealed, we were nervous, unsure how we would surmount the
obstacles presented.
Despite our curiosity, we began to build a robot, using the talents
and skills of each team member. The unique and creative robots of
other teams definitely put pressure on the team, but we managed to
persevere and keep going.
After hours of trial and error, our robot, nicknamed TrED, finally
completed the first phase of the challenge. The whole team celebrated
with victory pizza, and congratulated each other before moving on to
the second phase of the challenge.
Throughout the day, our team bonded and learned each other’s
strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to become better as a group.
This allowed us to ultimately qualify for the finals, and tie for 3rd place.
By the end of the day, we were all tired, and very happy with our
achievement. We had surpassed our limits and expectations, and all
while having fun. Together, we have grown as a team, and we will use
our experience to compete in future competitions in the year. We are
looking forward to it, and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Special thanks to Mr. Cadot for making it possible.
To see our robot and John Rennie’s achievement at this competition, click here!
– Alex Rees, John Rennie High School (Sec.4)
