519.997.2863   |   info@wetech-alliance.com   |   FRANÇAIS
Site logo
Sticky header logo
Site logo
  • Who We Are
    • Our Purpose
    • Our Team
      • WEtech Alliance Team
      • Venture Success Team
    • Our Board
    • Our Impact
    • Our Partners
  • What We Do
    • Tech Acceleration
      • ScaleUP
      • i.d.e.a. Fund
      • Innovation Outposts
      • SWO Black Entrepreneurship Network
      • Founders Night
      • Roadmap to MVP
      • MedHealth
    • Tech Talent
      • Women in Mobility
      • FIRST Robotics
      • Tech Connect
    • Tech Community
      • TeCK Week YQG
      • Tech Talks
      • Tech Awards
      • Founders Week
      • Tech Connect
      • Regional Alliance Windsor-Essex
      • Where Canada Begins
  • How We Help
    • Client Perks
    • Tech Jobs Board
    • Opportunity Alerts
    • Resources
      • Winnovation Map
      • Entrepreneur’s Toolkit Library
      • Employer Support Programs Matrix
      • Entrepreneur Support Network
      • WEsearch
  • Get Connected
    • Tech Connect
    • Tech & Innovation News
    • Tech Events
    • Tech Blog
    • Tech Podcasts
    • TECH IT OUT! Newsletter
    • Français
    • Contact Us
  • Tech Jobs
  • Become a Client
PrevWanted: Instructors for Computer Girls Digital Literacy and Mentors for Hacking Health Windsor-Detroit12 March 2015Next2015 Ontario Brain Institute Entrepreneur Competition – NOW OPEN16 March 2015
  • Tech News

Windsor Hosts Largest Robotics Regional in Canada

March 16, 2015in Tech News 0 Comments

Windsor, ON – Fifty teams representing 1500 high school students from across North America invade the St. Denis Centre April 3-4 with their robots for the 2nd Annual Windsor Essex Great Lakes Regional FIRST Robotics competition – the largest robotics competition in Canada.

They are part of the FIRST Robotics competition that partners students with professional engineers, programmers, skilled workers and entrepreneurs over a six week period to design and build 120 pound robots that compete in an arena.  In the past, these robots shot basketballs and Frisbees 200 feet into scoring baskets and climbed 10-foot steel pyramids.  This year’s challenge is called Recycle Rush and is a stacking game.

The public is encouraged to attend Friday and Saturday – April 3rd and 4th – at the St. Denis Centre from 8:30 – 4:30 pm – admission is FREE

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is supported by 4000 companies worldwide including over half of all FORTUNE 500 companies such as Boeing, Bombardier, Chrysler and Google.

Local companies such as Platinum sponsor Valiant Corporation and Gold Sponsor CenterLine and Siemens Canada are among regional companies that are supporting the tournament and local teams as a way to bridge the skills mismatch that is hampering industry and also fueling regional youth unemployment.

Students who participate in FIRST are twice as likely to attend university and college and twice as likely to major in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  Both the University of Windsor and St. Clair College are Gold Sponsors.

WEtech Alliance – a Regional Innovation Centre – spearheaded the growth of FIRST Robotics in Windsor and Essex and led the bid to host the Robotics regional.

“The success of our regional industry depends upon our ability to cultivate the next generation of skilled workers, innovators and technology entrepreneurs,” says Yvonne Pilon, President and CEO of WEtech Alliance.

“FIRST Robotics captures the key elements of innovation, science, technology and teamwork,” says Michael Solcz Jr., Executive Vice President of The Solcz Group and Director at Valiant Machine and Tool – the Platinum Sponsor of the Windsor Essex Great Lakes Regional.

“FIRST Robotics partners industry, the university and college with schools to better prepare our young people for a 21st century knowledge economy,” says Dr. Irek Kusmierczyk, Director of Robotics and Youth Programs at WEtech Alliance. “Each robotics team is run like a tech startup with future programmers and engineers working alongside future graphic designers, business and public relations graduates”.

 

WHEN:         April 3-4, 2015 starting 8:30am

WHERE:       St. Denis Centre @ the University of Windsor

WHO:            1500 high school students on 50 teams

2500 spectators each day

DETAILS:     See Official Program HERE

MEDIA KIT:   2015 WEGLR First Robotics Tournament – Media Kit

FUN FACTS:    

  • Largest robotics competition in Canada
  • Tournament pumps up to $1 million into local economy
  • Friday evening Team Social will bring over 1000 to Adventure Bay Family Waterpark
  • Local band SieraSlave (Leamington) will perform live on Saturday at Noon
  • Longest Distance: Team 3598 Sestematic Eliminators from Sacramento, California
  • Mayor Drew Dilkens and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder will address the crowd on Friday morning
  • Valiant is the Platinum Sponsor; Gold Sponsors include Siemens Canada, University of Windsor, Centerline Ltd. and St. Clair College (See Official Program for more sponsors)
  • Star Power: tournament involves 30 Regional Judges who are executives and senior professionals from major companies and organizations (see official attached Program)
  • 14 teams from Windsor-Essex
  • Team from Chatham-Kent combines four area schools

SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITE:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WindsorEssexFIRST

Twitter: @FIRSTRoboticsWE

Website: www.windsoressexfirst.org

 

For information please contact:

Dr. Irek Kusmierczyk
Director of Robotics and Youth Programs
Phone: 519.997.2848
Cell: 519.990.3132
Email: ikusmierczyk@wetech-alliance.com

About WEtech Alliance: WEtech Alliance strives to nurture innovation and technology by providing the tools, programs, resources and support that entrepreneurs and technology-centric companies require for sustainable growth, development and success. For more information about WEtech Alliance, visit www.wetech-alliance.com.

About FIRST Robotics: FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people through accessible, innovative programs that build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. Over 300,000 high school and grade school students participate in robotics competitions worldwide with 120,000 mentors and volunteers. Visit www.firstroboticscanada.org or www.usfirst.org

0 Likes

Categories

  • Blog
  • CleanTech Blog
  • Client News
  • Ivy's League Blog
  • Opportunity Alerts
  • Our Impact
  • Siri Blog
  • StartUP Blog
  • Tech News

Recent Posts

WEtech Alliance Partners with SnapPea to Offer New Supports for Entrepreneurs
WEtech Alliance Partners with SnapPea to Offer New Supports for Entrepreneurs
Getting A Startup Off The Ground With Low-Code / No-Code Tools
Getting A Startup Off The Ground With Low-Code / No-Code Tools
10+ Ways to Celebrate International Women’s Day 2023
10+ Ways to Celebrate International Women’s Day 2023
Roadmap to Success: Roadmap to MVP Program Helps Women Entrepreneurs Demystify Tech
Roadmap to Success: Roadmap to MVP Program Helps Women Entrepreneurs Demystify Tech
Sixteen enthusiastic new members join the Prime Minister’s Youth Council
Sixteen enthusiastic new members join the Prime Minister’s Youth Council

Connect with Us

TECH IT OUT! Monthly Newsletter

Get the latest Tech News, Events, Talent & Tech Jobs in Windsor-Essex & Chatham-Kent delivered directly to your inbox each month.

SIGN UP

Wetech Alliance Logo

Navigation

  • Home
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • Tech & Innovation News
  • Events
  • Contact

Location

Footer Map
Click here for a detailed map.

Contact

Joyce Entrepreneurship Centre
2455 Wyandotte Street West
Located inside EPICentre, 2nd Floor
Windsor, ON N9B 0C1

Office: 519.997.2863

Connect with us:

ALL IMAGES, DESIGNS AND CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2023, WETECH ALLIANCE.