PYRS

Expanding competitive robotics for youth in BC

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Visit PYRS at Science World

The Pacific Youth Robotics Society will be on hand for two upcoming events at the Telus World of Science, in Vancouver. On Friday, October 14, 2011, PYRS representatives will join others in the BC kickoff to National Science and Technology Week. On the evening of Tuesday, October 18, PYRS will be presenting at Science World as part of the “Future Science Leaders High School Competition Trade Show”, encouraging bright young minds to get involved with a range of science and technology challenges and competitions.

PYRS looks forward to working with Science World to help encourage young people to expore the joys and challenges presented by science and technology.

Vancouver VEX Teacher Recognized for Excellence

Gladstone Secondary teacher and veteran VEX robotics coach Todd Ablett received the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence today in Ottawa. Mr. Ablett is in Ottawa this week, meeting with the Prime Minister and delivering a presentation on how VEX robotics has helped his students and his school.

Mr. Ablett has taught at Gladstone Secondary for the past 13 years and was specifically recognized for his work over the past six years in helping to build a strong VEX Robotics Competition program across BC. In addition to coaching twenty VEX teams at his school, Mr. Ablett has presented workshops and organized competitions for other schools in British Columbia. His students have also done exceptionally well at the VEX Robotics World Championships for the past three years, most recently ranking second place overall in the Programming Skills Challenge.

“This really isn’t about me, ” explained Ablett, “while it is an individual award, I really feel that it represents the collective success we are having with our students in schools across B.C.”

First VEX “Idea Factory” Held in B.C. (Sept 17)

The first VEX “Idea Factory” to be hosted in B.C. occurred this Saturday at Moscrop Secondary School in Burnaby. Roughly 100 students from across Metro Vancouver gathered along with teachers, team coaches, and community volunteers to get a “hands on” look at this year’s VEX Robotics Competition game “Gateway” and rules.

After presentations on the game, and workshops providing advice on how to get started, the students formed into teams, broke out the robot parts and started to build. Many teams left the workshop with a good head start towards building a robot capable of playing this year’s game.

The event was organized by the Pacific Youth Robotics Society. “This should really give the students a head start on the season.” explained PYRS President and veteran VEX tournament organizer, Lance Balcom, who feels that having the chance to get “hands on” with the game field and elements this early in the season will help teams formulate functional designs earlier than in previous years.