WEtech Alliance is excited to announce that seven local high schools have received a total of $35,000 from the Chrysler Foundation to support their FIRST Robotics teams. (View Chrysler press release here)
They are the only Ontario teams to share in $229,000 the Chrysler Foundation set aside for FIRST teams in North Americathis year and include Assumption H.S, Harrow District High School, Holy Names, Maranatha Christian Academy, Sandwich Secondary, Vincent Massey Secondary, Walkerville Collegiate.
“Having Chrysler step up to support our regional FIRST Robotics teams is big news,” says Karen Behune Plunkett, President and CEO of WEtech Alliance—a Regional Innovation Centre that has spearheaded the growth of FIRST Robotics in Windsor and Essex.
“This is yet another example of industry collaborating with our schools to prepare our young people for success in today’s knowledge economy,” says Dr. Irek Kusmierczyk, Director of Robotics and Youth Programs leading FIRST Robotics in the region.
“We have about ten Chrysler engineers and skilled workers mentoring our FIRST Robotics teams and we would like to triple that in the coming months from Chrysler and other local companies,” says Kusmierczyk. “Those interested in mentoring robotics teams should contact WEtech”.
Last month ten area robotics teams shared in $70,000 from the Argosy Foundation established by the cofounder of Boston Scientific.
The season kicks off January 4th and the teams will have 6 weeks to design and build their robots, leading up to tournaments including the inaugural Windsor Essex Great Lakes Regional in Windsor.
After the season is concluded, these seven teams will be invited to Chrysler Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan todemonstrate their robot in front of engineers and executives.
IN RELATED NEWS…Thirteen area FIRST Robotics teams will kick-off the design and build season this Saturday, January 4th at the Centre for Engineering and Innovation (CEI) Room 1100 at the University of Windsor at 10am.
NASA will broadcast a live feed simultaneously to all teams across the world to announce what the challenge for the upcoming season will be and feature high profile speakers.
Immediately after the game is unveiled, local veteran teams will organize a “quick build” for the rookie teams and help them build the chassis and basic wiring for their robot.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Irek Kusmierczyk, Director of Robotics and Youth Programs
WEtech Alliance
519.990.3132
ikusmierczyk@wetech-alliance.com
