Robotics competition was learning experience for ESCEN students

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A robotics team from Kirkland Lake’s École secondaire catholique l’Envolée travelled to Toronto the week of May 6 for the Skills Ontario 2024 competition. 

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It was the first time the school has competed in robotics at Skills Ontario and the team made up of Jamie George, Alexa Gagne, Alexander LaRocque and Caleb Carrier came through with a showing that got them a spot in the finals. 

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Teacher Casey Owens, who accompanied the students, said the event was awesome. 

“They were amazed as to how big the event actually is and what it entails in terms of the different schools that are there. They really loved it.” 

As of writing this, the final results have not been established however Owens stated it appears from everyone’ point totals the ESCEN students placed somewhere between 10th and 13th place. 

“My expectation going in was, this is our first year doing it (robotics). (The school) has competed before in culinary arts. My goal was, let’s go, have some fun, do the best we can and see what happens.” 

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According to Owens, the competition was based on collecting sap from trees. “(Your robots) had to release pins out of an ABS pipe to release balls and then they would be harvested in a makeshift boiler.  

“It is like the process of harvesting maple water to make maple syrup out of it”, Owens said. 

One interesting aspect of the competition is once the process starts, Owens cannot coach or interact with the students. They are on their own to figure out any situation they may face. 

“It is like, if something goes wrong, guys you are on your own. But that is part of life. It’s that basic thing that when you are in the workforce. When you have a problem there will not always be someone there behind you, trying to help you. You are the one who will have to figure out what to do” Owens said. 

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Owens, who also serves as a Kirkland Lake councillor, during Thursdays’ council meeting (May 9) praised both his team and the team from Kirkland Lake District Composite School for making Kirkland Lake proud. It should be noted that the KLDCS squad, made up of Yura Kovalev, Nick Sopchyshyn, Hardy Kurz and Liam McBean picked up the bronze medal in the event. 

“They have been doing this a lot longer than we have. Both robots they had were well, well done. They worked really well. Kirkland Lake was well represented at skills this year. 

“Both schools advanced to the finals, so it is a good representation for this part of the province.” 

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