Union Gas Supports Eight Secondary School FIRST Robotics Teams and Competitions across Ontario with $50,000 Sponsorship
CHATHAM, ON, March 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Union Gas is supporting eight Ontario secondary school teams taking part in FIRST Robotics Canada (FIRST) competitions -- events that inspire students, teachers and mentors to work together to build a robot to face-off against other robots, courtesy of a $50,000 sponsorship. This will be Union Gas' fifth consecutive year of support for the competitions and students as a Gold Level Sponsor.
"It's exciting to see students learn more about future careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields," said Paul Rietdyk, vice president, engineering, construction, and storage and transmission operations, Union Gas. "FIRST not only promotes development in the STEM disciplines. Students also learn important values like safety, teamwork, collaboration, but also 'gracious professionalism' which promotes win/win relationships in a way that demonstrates integrity, respect and valuing others, individuals and teams."
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), is an annual competition where high school students team up with companies to build robots in high-intensity 'robo-sports' competitions with the help of volunteer professional mentors. Over six weeks, student teams raise funds, design a team brand, and build and program robots to perform specific tasks against competitors in regional events held in several provinces.
"Union Gas has been a long-time supporter of FIRST Robotics Canada by providing mentors, volunteers, and financial support to teams and events," says Mark Breadner, president, FIRST Robotics Canada. "We're extremely grateful to have such inspiring role models from Union Gas involved in FIRST. Their commitment has made a world of difference."
To view a list of competing teams visit: uniongas.com/about-us/community/partnerships/first-robotics.
About FIRST Robotics Canada
FIRST Robotics Canada, a registered charity, was established in 2001 and incorporated in 2004 with a mission to inspire Canadian high school and elementary school students to pursue further studies and careers in science, technology and engineering. It pursues its mission primarily through offering opportunities for students, working in teams and assisted by expert adult mentors, to build robots and to take part in tournaments which feature on-field competitions, judged awards and other forms of recognition, potentially including university and college scholarships. For more information, visit firstroboticscanada.org or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/CANFIRST, Facebook: Facebook.com/FIRSTRoboticCanada and YouTube: youtube.com/user/FIRSTRoboticsCanada.
About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with over 100 years of experience and service to customers. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across Ontario. Union Gas is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2017, and has assets of $7.2 billion and approximately 2,300 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/uniongas, Facebook: facebook.com/uniongas and YouTube: youtube.com/user/uniongas.
SOURCE Union Gas Limited
Union Gas Limited, David Primorac, External Communications and Media Relations, Ph: 519 436-4600 ext. 5002058, [email protected]; FIRST Robotics Canada, Mark Breadner, President, Ph: 416 453-6844, [email protected]
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