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Students are now programming robots as early as grade 3. And today, in the Central Okanagan School District students from the third grade right through middle school put their creations to the test in the annual robot wrestling competition. It's Sumobot 2020.
"They build a robot and they battle in a ring and the goal is to push the other robot out of the ring," explained Tobias Blaskovits, from School District 23.
Students aren't just designing the physical shape and function, but they are programming their robots to react to their surroundings and their opponents.
"There are sensors involved," explained Blaskovits. "So there's a light sensor which tries to keep the bot in the ring sensing the difference between dark and light and usually there's an ultrasonic sensor or infrared sensor of some sort which is meant to detect the other bot."
It's all in fun, but once in competition, it's fierce. "The idea is to seek and destroy the other bot," he said, "while staying in the ring."
"I'm really happy with how it worked out so far," said competitor Danrich Botha. He had lost 2 out of 3 competitions but learned a lot. "In the speed of things, I think I've just learned how to easily code one of these things."
Student Annaleigha Jesson said she was really enjoying it. "Yeah, I did it last year and I'm really happy I got to do it with my brother this year," she said.
"Ultimately, it's about the opportunities for these kids," added Blaskovits. "Every time it amazes me, some of the cool innovations that the kids come up with."
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