\u201cHosting the championship for the second consecutive year reflects Brock\u2019s strong commitment to growing STEM education in Niagara and beyond,\u201d said Associate Professor of Engineering Shengrong Bu, who sits on the event\u2019s organizing committee and previously served as its 2025 General Chair.<\/p>\n
The University, she said, was proud to again host the event, welcoming students interested in STEM \u2014 as well as visitors from across Ontario \u2014 to not only compete but also learn about the academic pathways available to them at Brock.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg welcomed 36 high school robotics teams from across Ontario to the FIRST Tech Challenge Provincial Championship on Feb. 21 and 22.<\/p><\/div>\n
Paired with the competition itself was an \u201cAcademic Alley\u201d that featured representatives from multiple Brock Faculties who shared insight into the University\u2019s STEM programming, such as its expanding Bachelor of Engineering in Integrated Engineering<\/a><\/u>. The weekend also included educational sessions for teachers interested in expanding robotics, coding and artificial intelligence (AI) programming in their schools.<\/p>\n \u201cBringing the FIRST<\/em>\u00a0Tech Challenge Provincial Championship to Brock connects young innovators with our faculty, students and facilities,\u201d said Faculty of Mathematics and Science Dean Peter Berg. \u201cIt strengthens the pathways from high school curiosity to university-level discovery and, ultimately, to careers that shape the future of our region and country.\u201d<\/p>\n Early exposure to robotics and AI helps students \u201cbuild technical ability, confidence and curiosity,\u201d Bu said, adding the skills are beneficial no matter what professional path a student decides to take.<\/p>\n While the student-built robots took centre stage throughout the weekend, the competition also focused on broader skills development.<\/p>\n \u201cRobotics has a spot for everyone. Regardless of whether their skills are technical, artistic or business focused, students are able to find a role, and a home, on a robotics team,\u201d said\u00a0Chair and Professor of Chemistry Paul Zelisko, who was the event\u2019s Director of Robotics Initiatives. \u201cThe program isn\u2019t just about robots but truly uses robots to build students\u2019 skills.”<\/p>\n That concept was not lost on Sudbury student and Lo-Ellen EDIT Orange team member Caleb R., who said he felt as though he became part of a community when he joined the robotics circuit two years ago.<\/p>\n \u201cIn addition to the technical skills you’re learning, it’s the soft skills and teamwork skills which are amazing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Toronto student Dilaany S., a member of team Bearbella, described her experience with the FIRST <\/em>competitions as \u201cmind blowing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I first started on the team, it felt very intimidating,\u201d she said. \u201cBut by joining Bearbella, my all-girl team, it felt very empowering to be a part of FIRST <\/em>and STEM.\u201d<\/p>\n Her teammate, Sally S., said the competition inspired their group to showcase the power of women in STEM.<\/p>\n \u201cWe purposely chose an all-girl team because we wanted to show girls can compete in male- dominated fields,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you’re a girl, don’t be scared to try. Take that risk. Take that first step.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese 36 teams brought their best to Brock, which is exactly what FIRST<\/em>\u00a0is about: young people learning by doing, supporting each other and pushing what\u2019s possible in order to excel,\u201d said Dave Ellis, President, FIRST<\/em>Robotics Canada. \u201cThis kind of experience helps students picture themselves in engineering, tech, skilled trades and the careers Niagara, and Ontario at large, needs to keep growing.\u201d<\/p>\n The provincial victory earned the six the winning teams a chance to compete at the FIRST<\/em>\u00a0Tech Challenge World Championship, where they will join international competitors in Houston, Texas.<\/p>\n A full list of award winners is available on the FIRST<\/em> Inspires website<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe impact of the championship event will echo into the future,\u201d Bu said.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough events like this, we are helping to build the future pipeline of engineers and innovators, supporting the growing robotics and manufacturing sectors in Niagara and across Canada and the globe,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n To further support these efforts, Brock will also host the Canada Cup of Robotics\u2014Niagara 2026<\/a><\/u>, an international championship expected to draw thousands of competitors, mentors and spectators from around the world to campus in June.<\/p>\n\n\t