26 teams of students and their robots converge on North Bay

A STEM education tradition since 2014 continues this weekend in the city.

The FIRST Robotics North Bay Competition takes place at the Surtees Athletic Centre at Nipissing University.

Local organizers say the competition has become a flagship event for the region, drawing close to 1,000 students, mentors, and volunteers from across Ontario. 26 teams from across the province will be represented at this year’s event.

Officials say the competition not only showcases student talent but also strengthens community partnerships and inspires future careers in engineering, technology, and skilled trades.

“Nipissing University’s prime purpose is to do peer‑reviewed research and to solve the world’s problems, and the problems of the North and North Bay region,” says Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President of Nipissing University. “We do that by applying theory and putting it into practice, and that’s exactly what these young students are doing. They’re understanding technical theories in engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence, and they’re problem‑solving by building robots to get tasks done. They are learning the tricks of the trade and will be outstanding leaders in many fields in the years to come. We are so proud to host these students at Nipissing University.”

Yves Benoit of Redpath Raiseboring says the company continues to champion FIRST Robotics, highlighting the importance of investing in youth STEM programs.

“Redpath supports FIRST Robotics simply because we believe in the values it represents,” says Benoit. “The organization offers a realistic pathway for kids to acquire rare skills and build a successful career, not just here in North Bay but globally. Redpath hires directly from FIRST Robotics for the same reasons and continues to be the #1 employer of FIRST Robotics members and alumni in North Bay. It’s not just good business; it helps build a stronger community.”

Local FIRST Team 1305’s robot, “Fenix” was unveiled this week and will compete at their hometown event this weekend.

The competition is open to the public, with organizers saying the best viewing opportunities on Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday.

Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years.  From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.