Elementary Skills Competition introduces students to tech and skilled trades
From building to robotics, thousands of students showcased their skills at the Upper Grand District School Board’s Elementary Skills Competition on Tuesday.
The tournament was held at the University of Guelph, with grades four through eight competing in 11 events related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and skilled trades.
“What we’re looking to do is engage students in STEM fields and the skill trades,” said Charles Benyair, a tech educator and STEM lead with the Upper Grand District School Board. “We want students to consider careers in those areas.”
A total of 59 schools took part in the competition. Challenges ranged from following a blueprint, to building standing structures, to remote controlled robotics.
Upper Grand District School Board’s Elementary Skills Competition on April 2, 2024. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV Kitchener)
“It’s fun to imagine a plan and then actually see it coming to life,” explained Annie Sider, a 7th grader from John McCrae Public School.
Educators say the competition offers a hands-on approach in skilled trades learning that can’t normally be found in the classroom.
“You think a certain way when you do tech courses, you problem solve a certain way, you learn to work with your hands in self-reliance,” Benyair told CTV News. “No matter what job or career you choose down the road, you will do better because you have these skill sets.”
Benyair also pointed to the shortage in skilled trades professionals. He said events like this could guide students toward a career in the industry.
Upper Grand District School Board’s Elementary Skills Competition on April 2, 2024. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV Kitchener)
Nolan MacKay and his team from William C. Winegard Public School used computer coding to successfully remote control a LEGO robot and said the competition is another step toward a dream career.
“When I grow up I want to be an engineer so this will be good for a resume,” he added.
The 11 winning teams on Tuesday will go on to represent the Upper Grand District School Board at the Elementary Skills Provincial Championships in Toronto this May.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Defence rests without Donald Trump taking the witness stand in his New York hush money trial
Donald Trump's lawyers rested their defence Tuesday without the former president taking the witness stand in his New York hush money trial.
Passenger killed, 30 injured as Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence
One passenger was killed and 30 injured after a Singapore Airlines SIAL.SI flight from London hit severe turbulence en route on Tuesday, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, officials and the airline said.
Feels like mid-30s in parts of Canada, while other areas expecting snow
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
Canada's inflation cools to 3-year low of 2.7%, in boost for rate cut bets
Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 2.7 per cent in April, matching expectations, and core measures continued to ease, data showed on Tuesday, likely boosting chances of a June interest rate cut.
Trump campaign calls 'The Apprentice' 'blatantly false,' director offers to screen it for him
Donald Trump's reelection campaign called 'The Apprentice,' a film about the former U.S. president in the 1980s, 'pure fiction' and vowed legal action following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. But director Ali Abbasi is offering to privately screen the film for Trump.
Nestle to sell $5 pizza, sandwiches in the U.S. for Wegovy, Ozempic users
Nestle NESN.S will market a new, US$5 line of frozen pizzas and protein-enriched pastas in the United States which it says it designed specifically for people taking drugs such as Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Independent stores and grocery alternatives see sales boost amid Loblaw boycott
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.
London judge rejects Prince Harry's bid to add allegations against Rupert Murdoch in tabloid lawsuit
Prince Harry can't expand his privacy lawsuit against The Sun tabloid publisher to include allegations that Rupert Murdoch and some other executives were part of an effort to conceal and destroy evidence of unlawful information gathering, a London judge ruled Tuesday.