Team NC is full STEM ahead, hosting 500+ high school innovator this spring at the Welland Campus.
Robots are taking over NC!
From April 10-12, and for the second year, Niagara College will host the FIRST Robotics Competition at the Welland Campus, welcoming young innovators – and their robots -from across Ontario.
The unique and spirited STEM competition challenges student teams, Grades 9 to 12, to design, program, and build a robot in a themed head-to-head challenge. The NC event is one of Ontario qualifiers that help determine which teams advance to provincials.
“Niagara College is thrilled to welcome such an inspiring group of bright, passionate young innovators from across Ontario this April,” said NC President, Sean Kennedy. “The FIRST Robotics Competition is a celebration of STEM excellence, innovation, and problem-solving, which reflect the very spirit we are so proud to champion at Niagara College.”
Admission is free and spectators are welcome on Saturday and Sunday to watch in awe as drive teams repair, rebuild and upgrade their machines under pressure. The robots will face-off in the rebuilt-themed game arena in the Simplii Financial Centre. The Learning Commons will serve as the “pits” for student teams to work on their robots.
Competitors spend weeks leading up to the competition designing their robot, from prototyping, building, wiring, programming and testing – to dominate on game day.
NC’s own Dr. Marc Nantel, Vice-President of Research, Innovation and Strategic Enterprises, will return as Judge Advisor, overseeing all the competition judges.
“High school students bring remarkable passion and creativity to their robots, along with incredible energy and spirit to the competition,” said Dr. Nantel. “It is a privilege to welcome such talented young innovators to Niagara College and to demonstrate that we are an inspiring place to nurture and advance their passion for STEM.”
Janet Allan, a member of the College’s Board of Governors, will also return as the Volunteer Coordinator, and has served with FIRST Robotics for over 20 years.
Allan invites NC students and employees to volunteer in both technical and non-technical roles. To sign-up to volunteer, click here or email [email protected]. Positions include field assembly, quiet room attendant, machine shop, and safety manager.
In 2025, over 1,000 spectators were in attendance over the course of the weekend.
For more information about the First Robotics competition, visit: firstroboticscanada.org/frc/niagara/
