McMaster hosts inaugural FIRST Robotics Competition

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McMaster University hosted one of Canada’s premier science, technology and engineering competitions for high school-aged students on April 8 and 9.

More than 1,500 students, teachers, mentors, parents and sponsors visited the David Braley Athletic Centre for the steamworks-themed FIRST Robotics Canada Ontario District Competition. The district competition for high school students pitted the best young minds from 42 high schools from across Ontario, and as far away as Sioux Lookout, in a qualifying match to design and build robots to solve a problem.

“The world needs engaged young minds to meet the global grand challenges facing our world,” said Ishwar K. Puri, McMaster’s Dean of Engineering. “Issues ranging from water quality to eradicating disease to building the next generation vehicle must be addressed. The engineering skills FIRST Canada helps youth to develop will foster future leaders with critical thinking skills, ingenuity and ambition.”

During the event, Puri announced four new scholarships valued at $15,000 each for FIRST alumni who attend McMaster Engineering in 2018.

This is the first time McMaster has hosted a FIRST Robotics Competition.

The district competition is one of several in a series of successive events FIRST Robotics runs in Ontario. Teams must compete in at least two district events where they accumulate points.

Determined by district event rankings and awards, the top 60 teams in Ontario will be invited to compete at the Ontario District Championship at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga on April 13 to 15. Teams will be vying for a spot at the World Championship Event in St. Louis, Missouri.

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