Articles by author: Brock University

• Brock hosts Ontario’s top young roboticists, growing Niagara’s STEM pipeline

  Monday, February 23, 2026 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE — February 23, 2026 — R0020

  Robots whirred, teams strategized and students and spectators alike learned valuable lessons in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) during a weekend at Brock University dedicated to competition, collaboration and community impact.

  Thirty-six high school robotics teams from across Ontario competed on Feb. 21 and 22 at the 2026 FIRSTTech Challenge Provincial Championship hosted by Brock’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science and sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

  “Hosting the championship for the second consecutive year reflects Brock’s strong commitment to growing STEM education in Niagara and beyond,” said Associate Professor of Engineering Shengrong Bu, who sits on the event’s organizing committee and previously served as its 2025 General Chair. 

  The University, she said, was proud to again host the event, welcoming students interested in STEM — as well as visitors from across Ontario — to not only compete but also learn about the academic pathways available to them at Brock. 

  Paired with the competition itself was an “Academic Alley” that featured representatives from multiple Brock Faculties who shared insight into the University’s STEM programming, such as its expanding Bachelor of Engineering in Integrated Engineering. The weekend also included educational sessions for teachers interested in expanding robotics, coding and artificial intelligence (AI) programming in their schools.

  “Bringing the FIRST Tech Challenge Provincial Championship to Brock connects young innovators with our faculty, students and facilities,” said Faculty of Mathematics and Science Dean Peter Berg. “It strengthens the pathways from high school curiosity to university-level discovery and, ultimately, to careers that shape the future of our region and country.”

  Early exposure to robotics and AI helps students “build technical ability, confidence and curiosity,” Bu said, adding the skills are beneficial no matter what professional path a student decides to take.

  While the student-built robots took centre stage throughout the weekend, the competition also focused on broader skills development.

  “Robotics 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,” said Chair and Professor of Chemistry Paul Zelisko, who was the event’s Director of Robotics Initiatives. “The program isn’t just about robots but truly uses robots to build students’ skills.”  

  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. 

  “In addition to the technical skills you’re learning, it’s the soft skills and teamwork skills which are amazing,” he said. 

  Toronto student Dilaany S., a member of team Bearbella, described her experience with the FIRST competitions as “mind blowing.” 

  “When I first started on the team, it felt very intimidating,” she said. “But by joining Bearbella, my all-girl team, it felt very empowering to be a part of FIRST and STEM.”

  Her teammate, Sally S., said the competition inspired their group to showcase the power of women in STEM. 

  “We purposely chose an all-girl team because we wanted to show girls can compete in male- dominated fields,” she said. “If you’re a girl, don’t be scared to try. Take that risk. Take that first step.”

  “These 36 teams brought their best to Brock, which is exactly what FIRST is about: young people learning by doing, supporting each other and pushing what’s possible in order to excel,” said Dave Ellis, President, FIRSTRobotics Canada. “This kind of experience helps students picture themselves in engineering, tech, skilled trades and the careers Niagara, and Ontario at large, needs to keep growing.”
  

  The provincial victory earned the six the winning teams a chance to compete at the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship, where they will join international competitors in Houston, Texas. 

  A full list of award winners is available on the FIRST Inspires website.

  “The impact of the championship event will echo into the future,” Bu said.
  

  “Through 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,” she said.

  To further support these efforts, Brock will also host the Canada Cup of Robotics—Niagara 2026, an international championship expected to draw thousands of competitors, mentors and spectators from around the world to campus in June
  

  
  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  *Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483 

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock experts talk bullying rates and opportunities for kinder behaviour on Pink Shirt Day

  Monday, February 23, 2026 | By Brock University

  EXPERT ADVISORY — February 23, 2026 — R0019

  As schools around the country prepare to mark Pink Shirt Day this week, Brock University experts say children aren’t the only ones who need to be reminded about the dangers of bullying.

  Professors in the Department of Child and Youth Studies and the Brock Research on Aggression and Victimization Experiences (BRAVE) group say some lesser-known aspects of bullying and aggressive behaviour are also important for parents, teachers and extracurricular organizers to keep in mind.

  Associate Professor Ann Farrell says children in Grades 6 to 8 are most likely to have negative peer experiences associated with bullying. That timing has added significance when accounting for mental health concerns. 

  “When you look at the research on mental health separately from bullying, we see similar developmental trends, where the peak onset of mental health difficulties come around that middle adolescence period, as well,” she says. 

  Although bullying rates are lower during older adolescence, Farrell says the effects of past bullying often persist well beyond the initial incident. 

  “Many young people don’t just grow out of or get over these experiences,” she says. “The lasting impacts on mental health can be both direct and indirect. For example, if you’re not having a good experience with your peers at school, then maybe you’re more often absent and that will impact your academics, affect choices for post-secondary education, career options and more.”  

  Farrell says these negative outcomes can follow both those who are victimized by bullies as well as those who engage in bullying as they grow into adulthood.  

  “In the long term, what we see is that this behaviour eventually catches up over time and can impact quality of relationships in the future, which can potentially then be related to other negative mental health experiences or outcomes,” she says.

  In addition to bullying, Associate Professor Naomi Andrews wants parents and teachers to recognize the potential negative impacts of other types of unhealthy peer relationships. 

  “Given anti-bullying policies and legislation, teachers may be more attuned to bullying behaviour and may not focus on negative peer interactions that are not bullying,” says Andrews. “But even behaviours that do not rise to the level of bullying can have detrimental relationship consequences for those involved.”

  Andrews, who recently wrote about teasing in The Conversation, says engaging in bullying isn’t the only way children harm one another.

  “Sometimes teasing can be benign, or even positive and playful, but sometimes teasing itself mirrors bullying,” she says. “We interviewed undergraduate students who spoke about specific teasing incidents in their childhood that were still painful today. These negative peer experiences can stick with people.” 

  Andrews also studies aggressive behaviour between children and youths who describe each other as friends.

  “Aggressive behaviour between friends is actually quite prevalent,” she says. “These are cases where, despite naming one another as friends, youth also report that they are being victimized by a friend. This type of aggression from someone who is expected to be kind and supportive can be particularly painful.” 

  Professor Tony Volk says adult role models play an important role in efforts to combat bullying. 

  “Adults need to stand up to bullies as well,” he says. 

  He points to sporting organizations taking a stand against parents bullying young referees as a particularly meaningful example of addressing the problem.  

  “There’s increasing evidence in sports like hockey and soccer that adolescent referees are being bullied, verbally abused and threatened at higher rates by parents, either during or after games,” says Volk. 

  In response, some organizations have announced penalties for parents who engage in disrespectful or aggressive behaviour, up to and including lifetime bans. Volk calls this “a laudable and serious step forward in trying to model good behaviour.”  

  He says when organizations stand up for their young referees by reprimanding adult bullies, they prioritize values like sportsmanship and civility for children and shift the balance of power that bullying relies on. 

  “Teenage referees have less power than an adult physically, socially and financially, but knowing that there is an authority they can appeal to addresses that power imbalance,” he says. “It’s no longer the referee against the parent, but it’s the parent against the entire organization — and that’s a much different fight.”

   

  Associate Professors Ann Farrell and Naomi Andrews and Professor Tony Volk, all in Brock’s Department of Child and Youth Studies, are available for media interviews on this topic.

   For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  *Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483

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  Categories: Media releases