THE BLUE AND WHITE

The Robotics Club at UCC is more than a gathering of tech enthusiasts or computing geniuses, it’s an incredible student-driven environment where teamwork, dedication, and creativity thrives (comparable to that of a Varsity sport). The team competes in the prestigious VEX V5 Robotics Competition, where students get the chance to improve their problem-solving skills by building advanced robots designed to score the highest in a competitive, game-like scenario. Matthew Chan, a club co-head, explains that “Each year in early May, VEX Robotics releases a new game that we design our robot for…For this year’s game, High Stakes, there are multiple ways to gain points with the team with the most points winning the match.” 

You can check out this short video below from VEX for a full explanation of the game.

In summary, the current game format tasks robots to operate autonomously for 30 seconds before transitioning into a 1 minute and 30 second driver-controlled period, where the robot is remotely operated by one of the team members. The goal of the game is to score points by placing plastic rings onto mobile goals and completing other specific tasks to score points (including climbing a four foot structure). Each team is paired with another to make an alliance of two robots (red or blue) and they have to work together to outscore their opponents robots across qualification rounds and elimination stages. In the Qualification stage, each team plays many rounds against randomly selected opponents and a randomly assigned alliance partner. Then, each team is ranked based on their performance. Only 16 alliances (32 robots) make it to the Elimination stage where the highest ranked teams have priority on who they choose to be their alliance partner. Following this process, it is a single elimination (tournament style) bracket after that with one alliance being crowned the victor. Beyond the matches, teams can compete in judged presentations, earning awards for design, programming, coding, and innovation.

I got the chance to sit in on one of the club meetings before a competition. Beyond all of the chaos of trying to figure out the logistics of travel, packing up the robots and making any final adjustments, it was intriguing to get to see how each team functions and their differing roles. Whether it was the programmers adjusting their code, the builders ensuring the integrity of their robot or the drivers getting their final practice run in; it was incredible to see the teamwork and dedication each person put into the process.

“At the beginning of the year, we focused on introducing new members to VEX Robotics. We introduced them to the game, competition format and building strategies, and acquainted them with the Design Lab’s materials and tools. We try to make our club beginner friendly, and flexible so anyone can join,” says Matthew. “Afterward, we divided the people into teams and allowed them to use our club meeting time to build their robots freely.” Time commitment varies, but members often put in at least five hours per week (if not many more) to ensure all facets of the robot are ready. The club meets almost everyday after school for 1-2 hours and sometimes during flextimes. Senior club member Johnathan Lee emphasizes the club’s openness and freedom; “build times are completely student-led allowing students to have direct control over their team.”

With the club’s recent surge in popularity, team sizes have grown from 4 or 5 members to as many as 15. “I realize it’s important for people to work with their friends, and to compensate for our club’s growth, we are adding more teams in the new year. ” says Matthew. The roles each person has within a team can range from builders and designers to programmers and drivers. Each role is essential, with designers using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software like Fusion 360 to design the robot, builders that assemble it, programmers that code the robot’s functions, drivers that operate the robot on competition day and notebookers that meticulously document the creative and design processes for judges.

This season, the club has participated in tournaments like the Caution Tape Qualifier, Toronto VEX, and Brampton Qualifier. Matthew describes competitions as, “exhilarating, with their lively and sociable atmosphere.” Since the team has been to so many competitions over the past few years they’ve “built strong relationships with teams across Ontario, so [their] experience also involves learning from other teams, talking with friends we have made, and meeting new people.” Matthew reflects.

UCC’s teams, identified under the number code of 9651 has 4 separate teams each with differing suffixes A, S, X, and Y. 9651X has secured Build and Create awards and advanced to semi-finals. Meanwhile, 9651S and 9651Y have shown strong performances in elimination stages. Notably, 9651A, a middle school team (only open to Y8s and Y9s) competes in high school tournaments and showcases the potential and talent of the future of the Robotics Club at UCC. The club has ambitious aspirations. “For 9651X, their goal is to qualify for the VEX Robotics World Championship. They were close last year by being a competitive judging applicant at Provincials, and this season showed promising results at a Signature Event coming 11th out of 96 teams,” says Matthew. Additionally, the club focuses on training younger members to ensure a legacy of innovation and success.

Any student interested in joining the Robotics Club should drop by one of their meetings after school or Thursday at flextime in the Design Lab (Room 302). You can also reach out to Matthew Chan (matthew.chan@ucc.on.ca) or Mr. Miskew (pmiskew@ucc.on.ca) via email. The club is always looking for new members and invites students of all skill levels to join. Beyond the teams, the Robotics Club intends to build skills that extend far beyond that of the competitions. “Our club is almost entirely student-led and I think it allows members to build valuable leadership and collaboration skills,” Johnathan notes. It’s a place where teamwork thrives, innovation flourishes, and friendships are made.