Comox Valley VEX students shine on the global stage at robotics championships

The Comox Valley was very well represented at the VEX Robotics Championships recently in Dallas, Texas, with four teams representing Vancouver Island, three of which were from the Valley.

The championships, which took place April 25 to May 3, is a worldwide competition with about 820 teams from 40 different countries across the world.

“It’s a phenomenal experience,” explained Connor Gallager, a Grade 11 student in School District 71, who, along with teammates Mikayla Roddam, Elliott Patterson and Nicholas Horel, represented one of the Valley teams in Dallas, 7842X (the Comox Valley club is team 7842).

Horel said the games at the championship this year were similar to a robotic form of soccer, with the goal to scoop balls to score goals, along with an end-game elevation element – similar to a robot performing a pull-up.

The Comox Valley has long been regarded as a hotbed for VEX Robotics.

Robotics is a program where students build robots designed to complete specific tasks. Tournament-style head-to-head competitions are conducted throughout the season, leading to the international championships.

A few years ago, SD71 incorporated this umbrella-type program, for Vex Robotics teams at NIDES, Mark R. Isfeld, G.P. Vanier and Highland Secondary.

Now, instead of working individually, and meeting up with one another only as adversaries in competitions, the Comox Valley teams work together throughout the year, under the supervision of SD71 technology education instructor, Travis Lawrenuk. The students meet every Tuesday and Thursday after school at Highland Secondary, and because there is a paid teacher on staff supervising, the students receive course credits.

Roddam said while their team had about a year to prepare, build their prototype and compete in regional championships, one of the best parts about the championship was meeting teams from around the world.

“The whole world gets together with a community of robots … it really fosters a whole community,” added the grade 11 student, whose interest in robotics began in grade 6 through the district’s ENTER program.

“It got me into a love of robotics and to experience hands-on learning.”

Patterson, a grade 12 student who is looking at engineering as a possible career, added a personal highlight of the trip was interacting with others and meeting some of the more famous teams in the world of robotics.

The team placed in the 26th spot in their division in Dallas, with a goal to return to the championships next year.

– With files from Terry Farrell