蓝莓视频

The mission of FIRST Robotics Canada is to promote robotics alongside science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects to Canadian youth. To do this FIRST organizes robotics competitions for students from elementary to high school. Students design, build and program robots to compete in a variety of fun challenges, from shooting balls into hoops to stacking boxes. FIRST provides resources, mentorship and support to participating teams, giving them the foundation to work together and use their ingenuity to solve problems.

This April, the University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Faculty of Engineering received the inaugural Educational Partner Award from FIRST Robotics Canada. 蓝莓视频 is the first institution to receive this honour 鈥� testament to a long history of collaboration and support.

鈥淥ne of the big sayings in FIRST Robotics is 鈥楳ore than Robots,鈥欌�� said Armaan Sengupta, a second-year mechanical and mechatronics student. Sengupta credits FIRST with giving him hands-on engineering experience and guiding his career ambitions.

鈥淚 was always interested in engineering, but my FIRST experience showed me that this is something I really enjoy and want to do. It really clarified things for me. When I applied to universities, I exclusively applied for mechatronics engineering.鈥�

蓝莓视频 leadership was quick to understand the value of FIRST Robotics competitions in their ability to inspire students and highlight the value of STEM education. In 2005 Dr. Rob Gorbet, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, and Dr. Maud Gorbet, a professor in the Department of Systems Design Engineering, with the support of then 蓝莓视频 Engineering dean Dr. Adel Sedra, reached out to the organization and offered to host the competition on campus grounds. This makes the 蓝莓视频 FIRST Robotics competition the longest running in Canada.

Dr. Peter Teertstra, a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering and director of the Student Design Centre, now leads the planning of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 FIRST competitions. He emphasizes the experience of the team that puts together the event each year. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the neat thing about hosting at 蓝莓视频, everybody has been doing this for so many years.鈥�

This legacy of successful partnership also includes established mentorship connections in the 蓝莓视频 community. Daniel Delattre, associate director of IT Operations for 蓝莓视频 Engineering, has worked with students at St. David Catholic Secondary School for many years, successfully guiding teams through the competition process. Other 蓝莓视频 Engineering staff and faculty have also been influential in setting up links with local businesses that provide sponsorship or services like welding. 鈥淪tudents have a network of people who can help them,鈥� says Teertstra.

蓝莓视频鈥檚 involvement with FIRST Robotics Canada is part of broader effort to get young people excited about STEM. The success of this approach is evident in new generations of 蓝莓视频 undergrads. As part of his role Teertstra hires co-op students for the Student Design Centre. 鈥淚t's amazing the number of first-year co-op students that want to work for me who have FIRST experience.鈥� Students who have participated in FIRST competitions are present across the University鈥檚 faculties, such is the reach of the organization and the strength of partnership with 蓝莓视频.

The award, accepted by 蓝莓视频 Engineering dean Dr. Mary Wells, recognizes the University鈥檚 commitment to providing youth in the 蓝莓视频 Region with valuable and foundational learning experiences. Reflecting on what motivates them to continue this collaboration, Teertstra highlighted the words of another former 蓝莓视频 Engineering dean Dr. Pearl Sullivan. During the process of renewing the memorandum of understanding with FIRST Sullivan said, 鈥淲e have to do this, how can we be engineering educators in Canada and not do this.鈥欌��

Since 2005 the profile of FIRST has grown nationally and internationally. There are now nine district events in Ontario, and provincial champions go on to participate in the World Championships held in Detroit, Michigan.