WIIKWEMKOONG—Two Wikwemkoong High School (WHS) First Technology Challenge (FTC) teams had another very good representation with its two teams winning awards at a FTC virtual competition held the last weekend in January.
“It was another really good representation of the WHT teams in an Ontario robotics competition,” said mentor/coach Chris Mara. “One of our teams won the design award application, showing how the principles of industrial design were used in their robot. Team 22845 ‘Top Shop’ included Adrian Katt, Tristan Wemigwans and Zander Shawongonabe.”
“Team 19552 ‘Heavy Dog’ made up of Blaine Naokwegijig, Brianna Mishibinijima and Tamara Naokwegijig won the Motivation Award for best representing the first technology competitions values,” said Mr. Mara.
“The two teams competed on the weekend in a virtual competition,” said Mr. Mara. “The teams had to submit a portfolio, complete an autonomously moving robot and tele-operated by one or drivers. They also had to design a robot for the game, code it and focus on the engineering and technical part of the competition.” The teams were then interviewed by judges and professionals.
Mr. Mara noted there are about 90 FTC high school teams in Ontario, and about 12 took part in this recent virtual competition. “We had competed at the Ontario FTC before Christmas at Lo-Ellen High School in Sudbury where the Wiikwemkooong Alliance team went to the championship finals.”
Mr. Mara said that the Wiikwemkoong team is now done its FTC competitions for this season. “We are really warmed up for the First Robotic Challenge team competitions, starting in March. We will take part in events in North Bay and McMaster University in Hamilton.”
