By Bryan Eneas

Île-à-la-Crosse students clean-up at Robot Challenge

Mar 24, 2018 | 2:53 PM

Three students from Île-à-la-Crosse took home the first and second place awards at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Robot Rumble.

Over 120 teams from across the province participated in the challenge, which saw robots attempt to push each other out of a ring. The team whose robot stayed in the longest was the winner. Jeremy Corrigal, a Grade 11 student from Rossignol School finished on top. He took home a $1,500 credit towards a Sask. Polytech program in the Mining, Energy, and Manufacturing programs. He also got a new tablet and $150 cash.

“Last year my bot kind of didn’t work for me, and I had a lot of issues with it, and I just came up short of finals,” Corrigal said of his decision to fly solo in the contest. “This year I wanted to make something that was purely my own ideas instead of getting a kit and making it from that.”

Sask. Polytech sends kits to students, which Corrigal did borrow a few pieces from to make his robot, but relied heavily on the 3D printer the Rossignol High School’s robotics club has. The robotics club has existed for roughly seven years, and, as the club and interest in robotics grew, they began to acquire more technology like a to help the participants. Corrigal praised the Sask Polytech Robot Rumble as a fun, yet challenging event.

“If you want to win, you have to take the time into your robot, take care of it, treat it like it’s your child and go out and have some fun, and just hope you can do what you can,” Corrigal said.

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Corrigal’s plans to enter the culinary program at Sask Polytech, but he’s keeping his possibilities open.

“If I see that I’m excelling [in robotics] in the years ahead, I will try and pursue it as a career,” Corrigal said. He added he’s going to improve his robot and participate in the Sask Polytech’s challenge next year. “Hopefully I can go [on top] for two years in a row.”

Lindsey Petit and Keegan Buffin, also from Rossignol High School, placed second in the rumble. Craig Hewko and Hunter Nedrew from Neilburg Composite School placed third. 

The Sask. Polytechnic Robot Rumble celebrated its 10 year anniversary in 2018. The dean of the School of Mining, Energy and Manufacturing Jamie Hilts said the contest offers a glimpse into the type of learning students can look forward to.

“The event continues to grow in popularity from year-to-year and is a good example of the type of learning found in the field of electronics,” Hilts said. “It is also an exercise in teamwork and provides a sense of friendly competition.”

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas