Montreal and Sherbrooke students win the most prestigious awards at the competition
MONTREAL, March 18, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - In front of 3,000 people gathered at the Uniprix Stadium yesterday for the grand finale of the first Robotics Festival, the following schools were given a standing ovation after winning the final match with their robots: Louis-Joseph-Papineau (CSDM), Le Vitrail (CSDM) and Collège Régina Assumpta. The Séminaire de Sherbrooke and Loyola High School also won, respectively, two of the top awards: The Chairman's Award and the Engineering Inspiration Award.
These 5 high schools will compete at the international championship, which will be held on April 26-18 in St-Louis, Missouri.
"I encourage you to continue studying science and technology, because Quebec needs you if we are to keep innovating and maintain our shining reputation around the world," said Laurent Beaudoin, Chairman of the Board of Bombardier Inc., to all the participants during the opening ceremony. Joining him on the podium were Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montreal, L. Jacques Ménard, President of BMO Financial Group, Quebec, Gabriel Bran Lopez, founding executive director of Youth Fusion, and many other partners. "All these challenges will let you demonstrate your creativity, ingeniousness and perseverance, while also creating a sense of belonging, of working toward a common goal and of pride in your schools," added L. Jacques Ménard, Chair of the Action Group on Student Retention and Success.
For his part, Mayor Tremblay said: "Montreal relies on creativity and innovation to succeed. Our city is proud to host the Quebec FIRST Robotics festival, a terrific initiative that encourages students to stay in school and spark in young people a passion for science and a cooperative spirit even in competitive settings."
14- to 18-year-olds had to face a daunting challenge: each school has had six weeks to build a functional, high-quality robot able to play basketball in a competition called Rebound Rumble. From September until May, and during the six weeks of intense construction, the students worked with teachers, university experts and engineers, which enabled them to learn, deepen and apply their scientific knowledge and skills.
This first Robotics Festival, which was presented by Bombardier, BMO Financial Group, Youth Fusion, FIRST Robotics Quebec and Montreal Hooked on School, brought together more than 5,000 people from 67 schools in Quebec, one in Ontario and four in the United States, and featured elementary and high school students as they competed in high-caliber technological challenges. The initiative aimed to familiarize students with science and new technologies, and to inspire young Quebecers to stay in and succeed at school.
For more information about the first Quebec Robotics Festival, visit www.festivalderobotique.ca.
For photos of the Festiva: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fusionjeunesse/sets/72157629602886109/
Gabriel Bran Lopez
Founding Executive Director
E: [email protected]
T: 514 662-2183
W: www.festivalderobotique.ca
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