MANITOULIN—Educators play a key role in ensuring that FIRST Robotics Canada programs have a lasting, positive impact on students while inspiring them to explore the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Caroline Black, a Team 6865 Manitoulin Mentor (Manitoulin Secondary School) has received recognition as a 2025 First Educators Recognition Program Honoree. She was one of fifteen educators worldwide to be honoured with this distinction, the only person in Canada to receive this honour.
“I think Ms. Black is fantastic,” stated MSS 6865 Robotics team member Amara Wilson-Zegil. “She is always right there when you need support.”
“She is a terrific female role model for STEM. I really enjoy working with her,” continued Ms. Wilson-Zegil. “She is a great teacher and mentor and the same could be said for Yana Bauer and all our mentors.”
“Oh my gosh, we are so proud of Caroline receiving this award. It’s fantastic,” stated Yana Bauer, a fellow MSS teacher and mentor on MSS Team 6865. “She is an amazing educator in general, very creative and such a great role model for learning in general, and in robotics.”
Ms. Black was nominated for her award by Alex Wilson-Zegil, team captain of the MSS Robotics team last fall. Her remarkable dedication to engaging students in STEM has been truly incredible.
Ms. Bauer noted that Ms. Black has been instrumental in starting the MSS Robotics elementary school program, which was initiated last year, and was expanded this fall. “Caroline is the lead mentor in the elementary school program for ages 5-13,” said Ms. Bauer, noting Ms. Black is the communications technological teacher at MSS.
Ms. Black, a Tehkummah resident, was actually contacted about the award in June. “I’ve been a mentor for the robotics team since 2021 at MSS. I teach grade 9-12 mainly in communications technology, and sometimes in math, and biology.”
“Yes, being a mentor and working with the students is a lot of fun. One of my favourite parts is that with Robotics STEM there is something for every student to take part in,” said Ms. Black. “If they like problem solving, making presentations, being part of the media-communications team, operating or working on the robot, reaching out to sponsors when the team is getting ready for a competition and more. There are so many opportunities for kids to get involved.”
“I love it and one of the great things about being a mentor is that you can watch the students start in robotics in Grade 9 and continue through Grade 12, and the growth they show being in the program over time,” stated Ms. Black. “Our team decided one of the things we needed to do is provide programming for younger kids, starting with Lego Explore program last year for kids 6-9, which we expanded to include youth aged 9-13 this year. There are now programs in place for kids from the age of six through high school.”
Over the past year the MSS robotics team has had 13 team mentors, parents, teachers and community members. “This is really a team of the community, and you can feel the support of the Island community in everything the team does, including the competitions.”
FIRST Robotics Canada posted on its website, “Congratulations, Caroline Black, mentor of team 6865, on being a 2025 FIRST Educators Recognition Program Honoree. On behalf of FIRST Canada, we would like to recognize and congratulate you on your achievement! Your dedication and support to FIRST are truly appreciated and inspiring.”
