Lively District RoboHawks capture top honours at regional robotics competition

Lively District Secondary School’s robotics team, The RoboHawks, captured top honours in the regional FIRST Robotics Competition held in North Bay from April 6 to 8, 2017. FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”. Students build robots that compete in events.

“We are very proud of our school’s exceptional standing at this regional event,” said Lively District Secondary School Principal Leslie Mantle. “Students were mentored by dedicated staff and community partners who shared their passion for science, technology and engineering in an event that provided a dynamic learning opportunity. Congratulations to all.”

This year’s game was entitled FIRST Steamworks. The goal of the competition was to build steam pressure by collecting fuel (balls) and score them into their boiler via high and low efficiency goals. Robots delivered gears to pilots on their airship for installation. Once the gear train was complete, they turned the crank to start the rotor. Finally, the robots latched on to their airship before launch (the end of the match) by ascending their ropes to signal that they were ready for take off.

The Lively District Secondary School team began with a solid start during the qualifying round robin matchups. The RoboHawks were selected by one of the strongest alliances that included North Bay’s own Ice Cubed Team and the CyberCavs from Breslau, Ontario.

This alliance proved to be quite strong, running through the quarterfinal and semi-final rounds undefeated. The finals were incredibly exciting as the match went to a third and deciding game.

The RoboHawks definitely pulled their weight as they delivered gears to the airship. They ascended the ropes consistently to score many points. In addition to the win, the RoboHawks received the Industrial Design Award for the team that demonstrated sound and efficient design to effectively address the game challenge.

Organizers of the North Bay event were very excited that an alliance consisting of two Northern Ontario teams captured top honours, as most of the teams were based in Southern Ontario. RoboHawks team leaders, manufacturing teacher Chris Dinnes and technology design teacher Tim Walker, were very proud of their team’s hard work, grit and resilience.

The RoboHawks thank their major sponsors for their support including, The Goodman School of Mining, Greater City Concrete Works, The Canadian Institute of Mining, The Professional Engineers of Ontario, Mac’s Convenience and the Lively District Secondary School Council. The RoboHawks also thank Hardline Solutions for their mentorship.

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Media Contact:

Leslie Mantle, Principal, Lively District Secondary School
Rainbow District School Board 705-692-3671