‘World Championship Impact Award’ automatically qualifies team for 2024 international competition
HOUSTON, TEXAS—The Manitoulin Secondary School Mustangs Manitoulin Metal Robotics 6865 team was one of only six teams from about 630 to win a Robotics World Championship FIRST Impact Award. And with this award they have already qualified to compete again at the 2024 World Robotics championship.
“I couldn’t be more proud of a team,” stated Ben Willis, a co-captain (along with Jocelyn Kuntsi) of the MSS team after MSS was named Saturday evening as one of the final six FIRST Impact award winners at the world championships held in Houston, Texas. “I have been on the team for four years and plan to be here again next year.”
“There are going to be some young people who are smart, caring and have a lot of character who are going to be some of the leading figures for the next generation,” said Ben. “We are doing phenomenal things representing Manitoulin Island. When you realize that at least 4,000 teams across the world competed to be a FIRST Impact award finalist and we were in the top 0.1 percentile, it is incredible.” He pointed out the other finalists included teams from Australia, Turkey, two teams from the US and the eventual winner, the Beaver Works team, based out of Missisauga, Ontario.
“To know we are in the top six finalists from thousands of teams worldwide, we were really ecstatic,” stated Xavi Mara, team drive coach for their robot ‘Bumblebee.’ “As a team all season we have talked as to when we win, not if. A lot of it is manifestation, but it is still an amazing win. Ben said when it was announced we were one of the finalists that his heart was so weak he couldn’t feel it. Everyone was super excited, but no one was actually prepared for this,” said Xavi. At the provincial competition, there had been ongoing commentary on how individual teams were doing.
“When we won the (FIRST Impact Award) at the provincials we were excited, but when the finalists were announced, there was no hype. “Here at the Worlds, they just right up front said who the finalists were.”
“One of the reasons they selected us a finalist is that they wanted to see how our team is doing IMPACT-wise and the work we have been doing through the past few years,” said Xavi. “Our focus on sustainability will continue. The judges want to see what you’re doing as a team, and we were one of the only teams that focus on a lot of sustainability activities. We don’t have the resources or equipment some other teams have and sustainability is what we focus on. The fact that we got here and we won with our sustainability ideas is huge with the issue of climate change. Because of our focus on sustainability, we stood out.”
Nevaeh Harper, a lead driver of the MSS robot said, “in this competition, we didn’t really care if we broke the robot because this was our last competition this year. There were minor issues over the week, but we did very well in our robot field events. At the provincials we finished last in our division but at the worlds we were 60th out of 77 teams.”
“The whole event was pretty exciting,” said Nevaeh. “This was one of the best competitions we have had in terms of scoring in our matches.”
“The team performed better in scoring, balance, strategy than it has earlier,” said MSS mentor Yana Bauer. She pointed out the MSS robot, “was one of the least sophisticated; our robot was one of the least advanced compared to other teams.”
“I’m ecstatic,” stated MSS team member Daphne Carr. “Everybody was very excited we won the award, and it was great taking part and meeting all the other teams. Now we get to go to the worlds again next year and I will be on the (robot) build team again next year.”
Ben added, “the winning team in the FIRST Impact Award was fantastic. They provided a lot of evidence in their video as to why they won.” That was the Mississauga, Ontario team ‘Beaver Works’ the overall winners.
“As for the field competition, we didn’t have to make any repairs to our robot on the last day,” said Ben. “At the district and provincial competitions, we had to prepare and make repairs to our robot after every match. We couldn’t take a break, practice or prepare for the next match. But we had made so many improvements since then we didn’t need to make any more repairs.”
“We had about 300 sponsors of our team for the worlds and the season, supporting our team,” said Ben. “Not many other countries had this type of support and the area we are covering. We had a huge community of people from all over supporting us.” He noted the MSS team had a poster board at the event listing all the team’s sponsors. Someone asked at one point, ‘are all these sponsors supporting your team?’ When I told him that was right his jaw dropped.”
“Because we have now been a finalist there will probably be a lot more sponsors and teams that will help out in the future,” Ben continued, noting the MSS team is very grateful for all the support it receives from sponsors, volunteers and well-wishers.
“Our team is very grateful for all the support they have,” added Ms. Bauer. “And the support we have had here as a team. Inverse Paradox of Mississauga has helped us tons, and Make Shift Robotics team of Hamilton has provided a lot of support, suggestions and tips.”
“Helen Siksek, who has a place in Kagawong six months of the year (and lives in Dallas, Texas the rest of the year) has been helping us out this week. In fact, she is driving us to our hotel as we speak,” said Ms. Bauer. “She commented what a legacy this team is creating, that the team has starting something that is going to build and grow and change the nature of education on the Island. This team won because these students are all amazing people.”
Xavi noted, “After the season we have had we are now able to expand our knowledge of how to design and build our robot for next season.”
“Everyone is already excited about next year and what we are going to do in the off-season,” said Ms. Bauer. “Next year will be an even more incredible year. We already know we have qualified for the worlds next year, being one of only the top six finalists. The team is already planning ahead and will build our robot to win on the field.” She added, “I think right now everyone is elated, but also relaxed because things have been so intense the past few weeks. We are happy and relieved all at once.”
The MSS team had won the McMaster University competition earlier this month and won the FIRST Impact Award to qualify for the provincials. The team won the same award at the provincials held in Hamilton April 5-8, qualifying them for the provincials. They qualified for the World Robotics championship by winning the FIRST Impact Award which is the highest overall award at the provincial competition. Many aspects of the team’s work were considered for the Impact Award, including the robot, engineering, business plan, vision, communication and safety. The award acknowledges the team’s impact on the school, community, STEM, and FIRST Robotics, not just this season but previous seasons as well. Manitoulin Metal 6865 has been working towards becoming an environmentally sustainable and carbon-neutral FIRST team.
