Robotics team from Hamilton children’s hospital wins big at provincial Lego league championship
Constructing anything from Lego can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. This was especially true for a group of young people at a Hamilton rehab hospital who recently built a robot from the iconic interlocking plastic blocks. The team, known as the Hammerheads, not only poured their hearts into the project but also walked away with several Lego trophies as a testament to their hard work.
The Hammerheads, consisting of seven members from Ron Joyce Children’s Healthcare, made history by being the only participants from a children’s hospital to compete in a Lego robotics competition in North America. Their dedication and perseverance were evident as they showcased their robot at The First Lego League Provincial Championship held at Durham College in Oshawa.
Mike Berube, a volunteer robotics coach at Ron Joyce, expressed immense pride in the team’s accomplishments. He highlighted the valuable skills the young participants acquired through the process, such as perseverance, trial and error, and the ability to engineer solutions to challenges. These experiences not only honed their technical abilities but also instilled a sense of determination and teamwork.
For team member Oliver Knight, the journey of building the robot was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the joy of overcoming obstacles together. The sense of community and shared experiences made the process all the more enjoyable for the Hammerheads.
The competition tasked participants with creating a Lego robot capable of solving real-world problems. The robots had to navigate through a series of tasks within a specified time frame, earning points for each successful mission. The Hammerheads, along with their mentor Mattis Santos, dedicated months of hard work and countless hours to fine-tune their robot for the competition.
The team’s efforts paid off as they clinched top positions in various categories, including robot performance and engineering excellence. Their success was a testament to their dedication and collaborative spirit. Berube, who received the Coach of the Year award, attributed their achievements to the team’s exceptional talent and commitment.
Beyond the thrill of competition, the Hammerheads’ participation in Lego robotics served a greater purpose. Lindsay Bray, a clinical leader at Hamilton Health Sciences, recognized the educational benefits of Lego in promoting fine motor skills and hand strengthening. The initiative aimed to engage children in STEM fields and inspire a lasting interest in science and technology.
Looking ahead, the Hammerheads are eager to explore new challenges in robotics and continue fostering a passion for STEM among youth. Their remarkable journey serves as a testament to the power of teamwork, resilience, and creativity in achieving success.
