FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge is the oldest of three divisions of FIRST LEGO League, and the stepping stone from middle school through FIRST Tech Challenge to the highest level of robotics competition, FIRST Robotics Competition Teams such as HNMCS Senior School Robotics team, FRC Team 7659. The robotics programs of FIRST are designed to inspire youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills through hands-on STEM research, mechanical design and robotics.
On Saturday 17 December 2022, 24 teams from as far as Niagara Falls converged at HNMCS to compete with the best of the best. Teams spent the day competing in this year’s SuperPowered challenge. They presented their Innovation Projects where they designed and created a unique solution to a specific problem with energy. Teams designed and created a robot that competed in Robot Game missions through innovation in Robot Design, clear mission strategy and functional coding.
HNMCS Senior School Robotics hosted one of the largest in Toronto, and advanced some of the highest-scoring teams to the Ontario Provincials. HNMCS Robotics delivered a flawless program for over 250 guests through the diligent work of the lead students. Sabrina, the Production Manager and team captain, worked closely with the Tournament Director, Dr. Kozma, and was the point-of-contact for all leads and judges. She was involved with all aspects of the competition, coordinated communications with teams and volunteers, oversaw check-in and produced event materials such as volunteer information packets. Sally, the Field Manager and team Business Lead, oversaw all tournament referees with a comprehensive knowledge of the season field setup, mission rules and challenge updates. Brigitte, the Pit Manager and team Technical Lead, organized the home base for teams during the event, scheduling teams for practice rounds, queuing teams for judging sessions and robot rounds and operating the concessions. Veronica, the Technical Advisor, kept technical systems functioning such as DJ, audio, PA announcements and computer needs so that the schedule was maintained throughout the day. Ainsley, lead Master of Ceremonies and team Communication Lead, brought the energy up in the robot field and created and sustained an exciting, fun atmosphere throughout the event. Together with Qi, a high school student from a neighbouring school, Veronica and Ainsley maintained the pace of the event and were consummate FIRST ambassadors.
With the success of our inaugural event, HNMCS Robotics is looking to continue its tradition of promoting STEM with underrepresented youth by launching an all-girls off-season FLL Challenge Event.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to you and all of the volunteers for the time and effort that you invested, both leading up to and during Saturday’s event, to help make the FIRST LEGO League Challenge Qualifying Tournament at Holy Name of Mary College School such an enjoyable experience for participating teams. I will never forget this exemplary inaugural event!”
Annika Pint, Program Manager, FIRST Lego League Challenge.
HNMCS Robotics Team 7659 