VEX Competitive Robotics is coming to the BCTECH Summit a showcase of made-in-British Columbia technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
As part of Youth Innovation Day at the BC TECH Summit, BC high school teams will show off their robotics skills, competing in qualifying matches throughout the day, leading to finals starting at 3:15 pm. Teams competing are from 5 schools across lower mainland and Vancouver Island: Gladstone RoboSavages from Vancouver, TenTon Robotics from West Vancouver, Fraser Heights Firehawks from Surrey, Burnsview Griffins from Delta and NIDES (North Island Distance Education S..) Navigators from Vancouver Island. View the Vex Robotics Competition Schedule. The competition fields will be located in the West Foyer by the escalators.
At PYRS, we are really excited about this opportunity. Not only will our students get to participate in the Youth Innovation Day. They will be able demonstrate to the BC Tech community just how far student designer, builders, and programmers can take a robot, and how much fun they can have doing it.
Educators, governments, and industry all recognise how important it is for BC youth to develop STEM ( science, technology, engineering and math) skills and knowledge, regardless of what career they path they choose. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) have predicted that almost 75 per cent of new jobs between 2009 and 2018 will be in the STEM fields. But we are challenged to inspire students to participate in STEM learning. For instance, less than half of teens are completing science courses through to grade 12 according to a report published by Let’s Talk Science, a London, Ontario-based organization aiming to motivate and empower youth using the STEM subjects. Competitive Robotics is one way the educators are making a difference. VEX Robotics turns learning STEM skills into a team sport. And what’s more, as our BC student teams demonstrate, participating in robotics competitions takes a whole range of skills – from communication, to leadership, planning, organization and perseverance – skills that our youth need in today’s world, and skills employers place on the top of their list.
When not competing, students will be able to explore the wide range of education, training and career opportunities in BC’s tech sector. They can talk with local researchers demonstrating their latest technology at the Marketplace and Technology Showcase, listen to inspiring speakers share how technology is changing the world, and gather practical information from all the post-secondary institutions and companies that are hiring the next generation of talent.
