FIRST Robotics Canada has lost a great friend.  Steve Rourke: Steve RourkeSteve Rourke, Director of Engineering - St Catharines Powertrain for GM Canada, died on May 7 at age 51.   In addition to his considerable professional accomplishments, Steve contributed strongly to the growth of FIRST robotics in Canada.    He was the founding mentor of Team 1114 and executive sponsor for teams 1114, 1503 and 1680.  He had led the expansion of FIRST in the Niagara region and was a tireless supporter.    In a recent letter to a potential sponsor he wrote that in his opinion "FIRST represents the best extracurricular opportunity for students to experience the real world of science, technology and engineering iin a competitive, fun and inspiring environment...FIRST is a truly amazing program".    

Collecting questionnaires at the GTRApril 20, 2010

All students participating in the 2010 Greater Toronto Regional were invited to participate in a survey respecting their perceptions of their FIRST experience. The survey was conducted on an anonymous basis. A draw for a prize (a fuel-cell car kit) was conducted as an incentive to participate. We asked eight agree / disagree questions and three open-ended questions. We received responses from 140 students, from 43 different schools. We believe that this represents approximately 10% of all attending students. We regard this as a very satisfactory response rate.

Team 2056 receives Excellence in Engineering award at 2010 FIRST World Championship April 20, 2010

Students from fifteen Canadian high schools and six elementary schools took part in the FIRST Robotics Competition world championship held on April 15 - 17 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. At the event, more than 500 teams from 30 countries competed in three levels of FIRST competition: FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition. Canadian teams fared very well in the championship.

 MPP Amrit Mangat announces the Trillium Foundation grant at the Greater Toronto RegionalApril 3, 2010

The Ontario Trillium Foundation has given $43,800 to FIRST Robotics Canada to support the 2010 Greater Toronto Regional. 

The grant was announced by Amrit Mangat, MPP for Mississauga - Branpton South, on April 3.  Ms Mangat is the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. 

Ms Mangat toured the GTR with Neil Bunn, a IBM employee and a volunteer with Trillium.  Both clearly liked what they saw.