Robotic-inspired elementary students display innovative skills at UOIT

Hundreds of future scientists and engineers from across Ontario gathered at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) January 12 to tackle topics facing one of society’s fastest-growing demographics: seniors. Children ages nine-to-14 put their collective math and science skills to the test as UOIT played host to the annual FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Ontario East provincial championships.

“UOIT is committed to student success and proud to host this remarkable event,” said UOIT President Tim McTiernan. “The FLL championship brings together some of Ontario’s most talented and promising students. UOIT is delighted to host them at the university where they can get a first-hand sense of the broad scope of research and technology applications being worked on by students and faculty. We salute the FLL students for their dedication, hard work, innovation and creativity.”

FIRST is an acronym that means For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. The FLL competition encourages students to delve into real-world scientific issues and apply their knowledge to research, design, build and program autonomous robots using LEGO Mindstorms software. This year’s FLL challenge Senior Solutions saw students present their own creative solutions to one of today’s most relevant topics: aging, and how to counter the effects of aging while maintaining a good quality of life.

“The teams that came to UOIT had earned their spot at the championship after taking part in practice tournaments and one of several regional qualifying events,” said Dave Ellis, Director, FLL Ontario. “The judges where dazzled by the students’ preparation and by how well they competed in the high-pressure environment of the final competitions and timed robotic challenges. The competitors’ parents and teacher coaches should be very proud of their achievements and commitment to FLL's mission: to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders." 

About the competition

To help them solve a problem faced by seniors, all teams had to find a senior partner – to learn about their lives, history and the challenges they face today, such as: health concerns, accessibility issues, keeping up with new technology, staying fit, managing their finances and getting what they need daily in terms of food, medicine and household goods. All teams then had to develop specific solutions, present their ideas for the judges, and program their robot to conduct a variety of related tasks.

As the competitors applied creativity and science to help seniors stay independent, engaged and connected, they were judged in four areas:

• Project presentation;
• Teamwork, with a consideration of the FLL Core Values;
• Technical design and programming of the robot; and
• Robot performance.

More than 20,000 teams compete annually in the FLL around the globe. Just 84 teams qualify for the FLL World Festival in St. Louis, Missouri in April.

Awards list

• Champion's Award (1^st), presented by Synnex Canada – Fatima Falcons (Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Elementary School, St. Catharines)
• Champion's Award (2^nd), presented by UOIT and sponsored by Ontario Power Generation – Ctrl-Z (Bayview Glen, Toronto)
• Champion's Award (3^rd) – Spirit of Friendly Conquer Chickens (John. G. Althouse M.S., Toronto)
• Alliance Award – Team North Toronto (no affiliation, Toronto) and Fatima Falcons (Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Elementary School, St. Catharines)
• Robot Performance Award – CyberJazz (no affiliation, Stouffville)
• Innovative Solution Award – iGo (Bayview Glen School, Toronto);  
• Mechanical Design Award – Tech Royalty (Bowmore, P.S., Toronto)
• Inspiration Award – iCoyote (St. Francis Xavier H.S., Ottawa)
• Presentation Award – SCS Penguins (St. Clement’s School, Toronto)
• Programming Award – Saints (St. Andrew’s College, Aurora);
• Teamwork Award – Fallbreakers CAN-ADA (the Mabin School, Toronto);
• Research Award – Play-Doh (Heritage Community Christian School, Brockville)
• Innovation & Strategy Award – WAFFLES (WAFFLES Community Robotics, Kingston);
• Gracious Professionalism Award – SCS Penguins (St. Clement’s School, Toronto)
• Judges' Award – Technolgix (Whitby Montessori and Elementary School, Whitby);
• Rising Star – LEGO DaVincis (Niagara-area Homeschoolers, Niagara Falls);
• Coach Award – Amy Ross SCS Penguins (St. Clement’s School, Toronto)
• Young Adult Mentor – Kaley Bibic (Kingston)
• Outstanding Volunteer – Sheila Rhodes (Faculty of Education, UOIT)