MINDEMOYA—Manitoulin Metal robotics volunteers hosted a FIRST Robotics Camp recently in partnership with the municipality of Central Manitoulin, with a total of 21 Island youngsters taking part.
Sessions were held for kids in Grades 1-4 in the morning and Grades 5-8 in the afternoons. Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) robotics team member Amara Wilson-Zegil organized the program and designed the game for the older group.
“The program offered opportunities for children ages 5-9 in the morning and 9-14 in the afternoons to explore skills connected to robotics,” said Yana Bauer, a mentor on the MSS Robotics Metal 6865 team. Youth facilitators included Amara, Spencer Johnston, Xander Thompson, Kaelen Thompson, Tanner Leblanc, Dylan Kuntsi, Ryan Kuntsi, Alex Wilson-Zegil and Sebastian Mara.
“With full registration and a waiting list, campers gathered at the Mindemoya community hall, where they learned from MSS students about the engineering process, design, programming, teamwork, inclusion, strategy, decision-making and had so much fun!” said Ms. Bauer.
Competition in the morning was themed around the arts, where teams completed challenges to earn points in a game called Masterpiece. The team that scored the most points was Team Grasshopper with Emilly and Gil, who also won the Gracious Professionalism award for their outstanding demonstration of FIRST Core Values and working together both on and off the playing field. The red team of Orion and Vasily won the Judges’ Award for their unique efforts and performance. Team Clean with Chloe and Gaebe won the Programming Award by using code to provide unique machine functions. Team Awesome, with Noah, Tessa and Brinley, won the Engineering Inspiration Award, recognizing the team that best demonstrates industrial design principles, striking a balance between form, function, and aesthetics.
In the afternoon, teams build and programmed Java-based robots to compete in a game designed by Manitoulin Metal called Free the Fish. Finishing in first place by one point was team Ckau: Simon, Reese and Olivia, with the robot Achoo. This team also won the Programming award. In second place was The Boys: Connor, Sebastian and Zack, with their robot Bonk and they also won the Engineering Inspiration award. Team Fireliers, which included Theo, Greta and Harriet, with the robot Ch103, won the Gracious Professionalism award. Team Fish, including Frederick, Jace and Felix, with their robot Gilbert, won the Judges Award.
Leaders, guests and parents who attended the final competitions and closing ceremonies were impressed with the learning, accomplishments and great attitudes of each camper. Most importantly, everyone had fun!
