120 Saskatchewan high school teams participate in the biggest rumble yet
April 14, 2016 - Saskatchewan Polytechnic electronics programs hosted 236 high school students from across the province as they challenged their technical skills in the eighth annual Saskatchewan Polytechnic myRobotRumble SUMObot Challenge 2016, presented by SaskTel.
With spectacular prizes to be won, including $6,000 in tuition credit, 120 teams came together to present the stunning results from months of building, programming and testing robots made from SUMO robot kits, which are provided by Sask Polytech. Working in teams of two, participants got to demonstrate their problem-solving skills, technical knowledge and teamwork.
"The robot rumble provides an opportunity for high school students to learn, hands-on, how rewarding a career in electronics can be," says Jamie Hilts, Saskatchewan Polytechnic's dean of the School of Mining, Energy and Manufacturing
The goal of the competition is simple: try to knock or push your opponent's robot out of the ring. A lot of time and effort has to go into building a robot that can withstand a rumble in the ring and take home a win.
"The students who participated in today's event clearly demonstrated a lot of dedication to their work," says Hilts. "This friendly competition is a great way to show that applied learning can contribute to students learning teamwork and can also be a lot of fun."
Saskatchewan Polytechnic electronics grads work with business, industry and government employers in areas such as manufacturing, communications, resource processing and consulting. With starting salaries for recently surveyed graduates of Saskatchewan Polytechnic electronics-related programs ranging from $2,100 to $4,800 per month, it's a solid career choice.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves 27,000 distinct students through applied learning opportunities at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.
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