RoboGames in the West Kootenay

A regional RoboGames event was enjoyed by Kootenay students, who performed some cool tricks with their robots

RoboGames participants enjoyed their first ever competition in the Kootenays. — Hayfire Media photo

RoboGames in the Kootenays? It's not something that jumps to mind for the area, but the very first event was held by the Kootenay Association for Science & Technology (KAST) in fall of 2012 in Nelson, B.C., and it was a great success.

Groups of students teamed up and learned the basics of robotics—with a goal in mind, of course: to compete in a regional robotics showdown.

KAST, the Nelson Tech Club and Selkirk College got together to mentor the groups, and workshops offering 3-D printers, Arduino circuits and Lego Mindstorms robotics kits tempted the kids to come out and play. Chris Tanner, a teacher at Rossland Secondary School, said that the kids learned a lot.

"They had to assemble their robot, write a basic program and figure out how to make it grab objects and move them," said Tanner. "I had lots of fun; it was great to work with the Grade 9 kids."

Who won?

In the culminating robotics competition, held November 10, 2012, the students' robots were put to the test with a series of arduous tasks such as a robotic obstacle course and a soccer game. The participants were also judged on their problem-solving skills and creativity. In the end, Tanner's team took the title; students Cody Shaw, Hamish Campbell, Josh Borros and Sean Hogarth were proclaimed the winners.

Tanner said that the students learned to keep it simple.

"The simplest solution is always the best solution," said Tanner.

The math and science teacher said it would be good to see this event evolve in the future.

"The kids learned hands-on problem-solving skills, which are really important," he said, "and a bit of competition is a great idea."