The rookie robotics team from Assumption High School and WEtech Alliance attended the FIRST Robotics World Championship in St. Louis, where over 25,000 spectators and students from elementary all the way up to high school participated in the four-day tournament.
Assumption competed against 400 high schools from 40 countries and they represented quite well, winning a quarter of their matches.
The event was highlighted by stirring speeches from the executives of Boeing, Rockwell Automation, GM as well as a star appearance by pop star Will.i.am.
FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology and it is an international robotics competition for 250,000 students at the grade school (LEGO Robotics) and high school level (FRC).  Students who compete in FIRST are twice as likely to attend college or university and twice as likely to major in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
Here is an excellent video from the Chrysler Foundation that talks about FIRST and why major companies are investing in the program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IppTdkRcoXs&feature=player_embedded
WEtech Alliance is spearheading the expansion of FIRST Robotics in Windsor and Essex, with plans to have 10 high school teams competing in the region.  WEtech has also submitted a bid to host a regional robotics tournament at the University of Windsor in April, 2014 that will bring 1,200 high school students from across Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and as far away as California, Mexico etc.
Those interested in starting a FIRST Robotics team are encouraged to contact Dr. Irek Kusmierczyk, Director of Robotics and Youth Programs, at WEtech Alliance.