Korah’s Wired Weirdos Win Excellence Award at Robotics Competition

UPDATE: The Korah Collegiate robotics team, known as the Wired Weirdos, has just clinched the prestigious Excellence Award at the annual Algoma District School Board (ADSB) Robotics Competition held on January 13, 2024, at Boreal French Immersion Public School.

This victory is monumental for the team, composed of students Pranshu Trivedi, Cyan Rasheed, Dharam Patel, and Jimit Patel, who triumphed over nine other teams, including fellow competitors from their own school. The Excellence Award recognizes the team that best demonstrates robotic skills, effective competition strategies, and a thorough inspection of their robot by expert judges.

“It feels very good to win,” Jimit Patel exclaimed. “This is the first year we won. Last year we tried hard and we made it to sixth place, so this year we feel very proud.”

The competition featured a challenging game called Push Back, where teams were tasked with collecting and scoring colored blocks while defending their positions against opponents. This year’s event showcased a marked improvement in the quality of student-built robots, according to Mark Carlucci, Robotics Coordinator for ADSB. “We have a lot more experienced students that have either come up from the elementary robotics program or they’re in their second or third year with the high school program,” Carlucci noted.

Over 40 students from schools including Superior Heights, St. Mary’s College, Central Algoma Secondary School, and W.C. Eaket participated in this competitive event. The competition pushed students to think on their feet, adapt strategies, and refine their designs, with intense matches that captivated both students and spectators.

“Even if they don’t go specifically into engineering or programming and robotics, the students are learning all the problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration skills that are essential in any career,” Carlucci added, highlighting the broader impact of robotics education.

The Wired Weirdos’ robot, dubbed Hook Shot, took two months to design and build. “We had discussions about what our team name should be, so we decided to use a little bit of AI and had some fun with it,” Rasheed said. “It shows who we are. We do a lot of wiring.”

Teams were evaluated not only on their performance during matches but also on engineering and design documentation. The competition recognized various award winners, including the Teamwork Challenge Champions B.I.C. from St. Mary’s College and the Wicked Weirdos from Korah Collegiate, who showcased exceptional collaboration in their final match.

Looking ahead, several teams, including the Wired Weirdos, are gearing up for additional competitions around the province, with a regional event scheduled for January 17 in Sudbury. The future of robotics in the Algoma region looks bright, as more schools establish teams and expand their programs.

As this wave of enthusiasm for engineering and robotics continues, the ADSB program is set to grow, providing students invaluable hands-on experience and the opportunity to engage with real-world engineering challenges. The next local robotics action will take place on January 17 as elementary students compete in the Mix and Match competition.

This inspiring achievement by the Wired Weirdos not only highlights the talent emerging from Korah Collegiate but also emphasizes the importance of robotics education in shaping future innovators.