Grade 5s Learn About the Power of Youth Innovation

On Friday, March 1, the Grade 5 classes had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of technology and innovation by attending the First Robotics Western Final at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena. This exciting event brought together schools from around the globe, showcasing the world of student robotics. The experience proved not only to be a spectacle of engineering marvels but also a source of inspiration and learning for these young minds.

First Robotics is an international organization that aims to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators. Through mentor-based programs, it builds science, engineering, and technology skills, fostering well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. The competitions, like the Western Final, are about much more than the robots themselves. They emphasize teamwork, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving among students from diverse backgrounds, encouraging them to learn and work together towards a common goal.

For the Grade 5 visitors, the event was an eye-opening experience. They witnessed teams navigating their robots through complex tasks and challenges as they competed in the 2024 design challenge known as “Crescendo.” The air buzzed with excitement as robots, built and programmed by students, competed in the arena, demonstrating the power of youth innovation.

The visit was not just about watching robots battle it out; it was an educational journey. The students had the chance to interact with participants from different parts of the world, learning about their design processes, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. These interactions highlighted the importance of perseverance, creativity, and teamwork.

Teams from Brazil, China, Hawaii, and from across North America welcomed our students and took time out of their busy day to answer any questions and explain the challenges of travelling the globe with a full entourage of student innovators and engineers.

The impact of attending the First Robotics Western Final on the Grade 5 class was significant. For many, it was their first glimpse into the world of competitive robotics and the possibilities that can emerge when the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) converge into real-world design challenges. The event served as a vivid illustration that their ideas could one day translate into real-world solutions, sparking a desire to learn more about robotics and engineering. Many students came back with their families over the weekend to continue watching the exciting events as the competition unfolded.

Here at GNS, we have ambitious plans to increase our involvement with competitive robotics and create age-appropriate robotics learning opportunities for a broader range of grades across all of our campuses. If you have an interest in this area or work in a field related to technology, engineering or robotics and would be willing to get involved with our GNS Robotics program as a sponsor or mentor, please reach to Jon Hamlin (jhamlin@mygns.ca)