The arena is buzzing with energy. Students gather around their robot, making last-minute adjustments before the next match. The machine whirs to life, accelerating smoothly and maneuvering with striking precision. “The Kraken X60 motors have made a huge difference for our robot,” explains one of the build team leads proudly. “With the additional power, our drivetrain accelerates faster and handles more smoothly—giving us a real competitive edge.”

This exciting moment is part of a robotics competition in Ontario, Canada. And this year, the team’s hard work paid off with a remarkable achievement: they qualified for the World Championship. Thanks to the commitment and sponsorship of LANXESS, dozens of students get to be part of this inspiring journey every year.

Robotics: More Than Just a Club

The robotics program, which involves over 60 students in the fall and 40+ on the competitive team, goes far beyond building machines. It’s about learning, teamwork, and personal growth. For many students, the club becomes a second home.

“Robotics definitely helps me make more connections and friends, as well as improving my ability to work as a team and be responsible,” shares one student. Another reflects: “I went from not knowing anything about manufacturing or robot systems to becoming a senior build lead. Because of this team, I’m now applying to study mechanical engineering.”

These experiences show how hands-on learning can boost not only technical know-how but also confidence, social skills, and even mental health.

From Ontario to the World Stage

The team’s outstanding performance this year secured rankings that placed them among the best:

• 18th out of 130 teams in Ontario (Top 14%)
• 18th out of 193 teams nationally (Top 10%)
• 167th out of 3,690 teams worldwide (Top 5%)

These results are more than just numbers—they opened the door to something extraordinary: competing at the World Championship. This is the dream of every robotics team, and this year, the students made it a reality. At the Provincial Championship, their robot was even ranked 5th in the world for its consistency in the challenging “climb” maneuver at the end of matches—a feat that reflects both engineering excellence and team dedication.

From High School to High Achievers

The benefits of this program don’t stop at high school graduation. Alumni are already carrying their skills and passion into higher education and beyond. This year’s graduates are studying Biomedical Health at McMaster, Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto, and Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo.