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2013 Robotique FIRST Québec Competition: More than 600 young people and some 100 mentors gather at Polytechnique Montréal for the official launch

January 11, 2013 - Source : NEWS

The international FIRST Robotics Competition draws the participation of more than 52,000 students from 2,600 high schools all over the world. The launch of the Québec edition of the competition took place at the same time as the international launch.

The Robotique FIRST Québec competition launch took place via web conference, live from Université Laval, Université de Sherbrooke, Université du Québec à Rimouski and Polytechnique.

Some 600 young people from 32 Québec schools came together at Polytechnique, where they were given the parts kits they will use to build their robots. Each team of students has exactly six weeks to complete a robotics project with the help of mentors, most of whom are university students. NASA revealed this year's challenge, titled “Ultimate Ascent,” to the young people: the robots must be able to hit various targets with disks, and must be able to climb a tower. The Québec final will take place at the 2013 Festival de Robotique, to be held March 14–16 at Uniprix Stadium in Montréal. The teams that qualify can then move on to the international final, April 24–27 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Christophe Guy, CEO of Polytechnique, took the opportunity to highlight the “remarkable team spirit and sought-after skills for engineering careers” that the young people can develop by taking part in this major project. A number of Polytechnique students are involved in the project, which aims to foster an inspiration for, and recognition of, science and technology among young people.

Polytechnique wishes the best of luck to all participants!

The challenge is revealed live by NASA!