‘I’ is for Innovation
MANITOULIN—Manitoulin Metal, Manitoulin Secondary School’s robotics team, not only builds robots they also publish books. The release of their first book in the team’s literacy series came out in December of 2023 with their second book, ‘I is for Innovation,’ being released a few months later.
The author of ‘I is for Innovation,’ Alexis McVey, spent nine months piecing together an alphabet book in the hopes of getting younger audiences interested in robotics. The book features definitions for technical terms, tools, and aspects of robotics and lists them in alphabetical order with each word accompanied by an image or illustration. “Putting the book together was really easy,” states Alexis, “I used Canva (an online media design tool) and then we got it published through Amazon.”
Alexis, who has been a member of Manitoulin Metal for two years, is not just passionate about building robots, she is also dedicated in sharing that passion with others: “what inspired me to write this book is the team was working on our first book, and I thought that an alphabet book would be a good choice for younger audiences.”
The team’s literacy series is part of a broader effort to expand their outreach within the community. Beyond their achievements in robotics competitions, Manitoulin Metal has been involved in educational initiatives, with things like their summer camp for younger students that wrapped up two weeks ago. The team believes that sparking an early interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is important for the future, and ‘I is for Innovation’ is a step in that direction.
Alexis received her first copy of the book during the provincial robotics competition last March. Seeing her project come to life was a pivotal moment for Alexis, “I felt so accomplished and really happy.” Since then, Alexis has gone on to promote her book at various events around Manitoulin like the Providence Bay Fair, where she was also awarded the congeniality award in the Fair Ambassador competition.
‘I is for Innovation’ has now sold over one hundred copies and it is available on Amazon and in stores throughout Manitoulin Island. All funds raised from the book go towards more team initiatives. The team’s lead mentor, Yana Bauer, says that “Parents, grandparents, and children who see the book are always impressed by the book’s clever vocabulary, robotics-themed visuals, and interactive nature.”
Looking ahead, Alexis and Manitoulin Metal are already in the process of making their next book. With the success of their first two publications, they’re eager to continue combining their love for robotics with literacy. The team hopes to inspire even more young readers, proving that with a little innovation, the possibilities are endless.
by Alexandra Wilson-Zegil
