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
