Fenelon Falls Robotics Kicks Off Their Season

Submitted by Roger Johnson

Fenelon Falls Secondary School is ramping up their robotics team in preparation for competitions to come! For the third consecutive year, the students at FFSS have been competing in FIRST Robotics, an international series of tournaments designed to encourage high school-aged teams to compete head-to-head on a special playing field with robots they have designed, built, and programmed. In conjunction with the Robotics course being offered at the school, and with the generosity of local sponsors, the Robotics Club has spent hundreds of hours designing, coding, creating, and testing their creation in preparation for this season’s upcoming competitions in Oshawa, North Bay, and Mississauga.

Last year, at these same competitions, the FFSS team Falcon Automation finished 67th in the province, an impressive feat given that many opposing teams are sponsored by the likes of Microsoft, Google, and even NASA. This year looks to be even more promising, as many of the team members have returned with invaluable knowledge and look to put it to good use in this year’s challenge. The level of enthusiasm and excitement at the build meetings is at an all-time high with this year’s theme being sponsored by Disney.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) gives students a base of knowledge for going forward into the fields of robotics, automation, mechanical engineering, computer sciences, and manufacturing. It is a rare opportunity to receive practical, hands-on experience in their chosen career path, and to meet those who are pushing the limits in their field. For more information in FIRST Robotics, go to www.firstinspires.org. Enquiries regarding Falcon Automation, including sponsorship opportunities, can be sent to falconauto.business@gmail.com.