Local High Schoolers Win Robotics Competition in Ontario Finals
Students from Scarborough impressed judges with an autonomous rover design that could navigate obstacle courses with precision.
A team of high school students from Scarborough has taken first place at the Ontario Provincial Robotics Finals, earning praise for their ingenuity, teamwork, and technical precision. The team, known as Circuit Breakers, competed against dozens of other schools in a two-day event held at the University of Waterloo.
The competition challenged teams to design, build, and program autonomous robots capable of navigating a complex obstacle course, completing tasks such as sorting colored objects, avoiding collisions, and climbing inclined ramps. Circuit Breakers’ robot outperformed rivals with both speed and accuracy.
Team captain Maya Chen said the win was the result of months of dedication. 'We spent every afternoon after school troubleshooting, soldering circuits, and rewriting code. It wasn’t easy, but we learned so much and really came together as a team.'
The five-member team included students from grades 10 through 12, each taking responsibility for different aspects of the project — from mechanical engineering to software development and project management. Mentorship was provided by science teacher Mr. Arjun Patel, who guided the team through design iterations and field testing.
Judges praised the team’s robot not only for its performance but also for its documentation and design transparency. 'They provided detailed logs and clear engineering rationale, which is something we emphasize at the provincial level,' said judge and robotics engineer Sophia Gallant.
Beyond the trophy, the win earns Circuit Breakers an invitation to the National Robotics Invitational in Vancouver this fall. The team will receive sponsorship from competition organizers to cover travel and lodging costs, and they’ll have a chance to compete for scholarships and internships.
For many of the students, the experience has sparked a deeper interest in STEM careers. Grade 11 member Isaac Romero said he now plans to pursue mechatronics engineering in university. 'Before this, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study. Now I’m excited about robotics and automation.'
The victory was celebrated throughout the school community, with faculty and peers organizing a surprise assembly upon the team's return. The principal praised the students for their perseverance and creativity, calling them 'role models for aspiring innovators everywhere.'
Parents, too, expressed pride and gratitude for the supportive environment that allowed the team to thrive. 'It takes a village to support kids in these kinds of pursuits — we’re thankful for the school, the mentors, and the competition organizers who made this possible,' said Linh Nguyen, whose daughter is on the team.
The team’s next challenge is to refine their design for nationals. They plan to incorporate additional sensors, improve obstacle recognition, and adjust power distribution for longer task durations. Fundraising efforts are already underway to upgrade components and cover additional equipment needs.
As the robotics program continues to grow, educators are hopeful that more students will engage with hands-on STEM learning. Competitions like these, they say, are more than just games — they’re platforms for building confidence, collaboration, and a lifelong passion for innovation.