Sask. team has homegrown inspiration for robotics competition

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The entire conveyor is painted like the head of a dragon, giving the impression its teeth-like conveyor is chewing up and spitting out the pieces.
 
The team only had two days to put their robot together. They came in second in the provincial competition but the winning team was unable to come to the national tournament.

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That was good news for team member Brett Guenther who said he enjoys the competitions because he likes working with his hands and problem solving.

“I feel like its a nice atmosphere. Everyone is so friendly and you get to meet a lot of new people and compare your skills,” he said, adding the addition of two new members helped relieve some stress.
 
Brock Chaisson’s father helps run the robotics club at the school and his brother won nationals and went to the world competition in Germany. But the 16-year-old has his own reasons for loving robotics.
 
“I like the feeling of when something works together. That’s what drove me to keep going,” he said, adding he’s considered a field in electrical work.

The robotics competition is one of several trades and technology competitions at this year’s Skills Canada. The show also includes hands on exhibits, professional trades people, conferences and guest speakers.

CEO Shaun Thorson said the purpose of the event is to give students a better idea of all the trades and the training and skills needed for each job in the hopes of encouraging them to at least consider a trades career.

This year marks the event’s 21st anniversary and Thorson said over the years they’ve seen a shift in attitudes towards the trades.
 
“We’ve seen some growth and I think some more acceptance and people being more open to considering those careers but we still have a long way to go,” he said.

Thorson said their next challenges are encouraging trades people to take on apprentices and making sure students know which skills match which trade.

To help students, organizers have created an essential skills initiative to match specific skills and knowledge to trades and potential careers. The initiative includes skills such as numeracy, oral communication, team work, computer work, reading and writing. Each trade is then assigned essential skills and the expertise required in each skill.

“We’re trying to create a link from the classroom to the workplace, so a student can see what they’re taking in terms of curriculum and their classes and then they can see how that can be applied to a trade or technology career,” he said.

Skills Canada also launched a free of charge smart phone application which can help people match their skills to trades.

The event is free to the public and runs daily until Saturday evening.

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On Twitter: @princealbertnow