NU impresses Robotics students

Nipissing University welcomed roughly 1,000 high school students from all over Ontario last week for the FIRST Robotics Regional Competition and by all accounts the event was a success.
Organizers, teams and fans were all impressed with the dedication and professionalism of staff who helped make it possible and with the Robert J. Surtees Student Athletics Centre, where the competition was held.  

Nipissing faculty provided competitors a glimpse of university life by welcoming them to audit ongoing classes, and the competitors raved about the experience.  Students got the opportunity to check out classes in English, Math, Computer Science, Astronomy, Criminal Justice and Business.  In some cases, the robotics competitors were provided computer access so they could perform in-class work and really participate. 

“The Robotics students were blown away by Nipissing, the faculty, the environment, the city, the hospitality and ultimately everything that we spend months on the road telling students about,” said Carla Tucker, senior student recruitment officer.  “A number of senior high school students were convinced that Nipissing is where they belong. As well, there are students in younger grades recognizing Nipissing as a great place to study. Robotics has helped plant the seed so that when they are deciding where they would like to study, Nipissing is a real contender.”

Congratulations to North Bay’s local Robotics team, 1305 Ice Cubed, who earned the prestigious chairman’s award, giving them a berth in the World Championships in St. Louis, MO, at the end of April.