Inside the bustling Design Tech Lab at Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby, Ontario, a group of 13 determined students is gearing up for a monumental challenge. The senior robotics team, affectionately known as “Where’s Waldo,” is set to compete in the MATE ROV Competition World Championship, marking their first appearance on this international stage. The excitement is palpable as they put the finishing touches on their custom-built underwater robot, “Where’s Waldo 17,” ahead of the competition commencing this Thursday in St. John’s.
A Preparatory Hustle
Amidst the clatter of tools and the hum of creativity, the team members are busy finalising their robot. “Are we out of white zip ties?” one student queries, while another focuses intently on soldering a fuse. Most of the team is engaged in testing the robot’s controls in the hallway, making sure everything functions seamlessly before the big day. As they prepare for a crucial pool test, a seemingly odd question arises: “Can you bring the iceberg?”
This “iceberg” is not a floating mass of ice but a rectangular piece of white plastic tubing adorned with red markings. The objective is for their robot to locate this object and capture images, which will later be used to create digital models. Taara Gill, the team’s CEO and a Grade 12 student, emphasises the challenges involved in designing a functional robot. “Getting a robot to work is actually much easier said than done,” she states.
Breaking Barriers in STEM
This year’s competition is particularly significant, as Trafalgar Castle School’s team is the first secondary school group from Ontario to qualify for the Ranger division, which includes upper elementary and high school students. Regardless of their performance in the contest, the achievement signifies a shift in the traditional narrative surrounding women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). “It changes the narrative of engineering when an all-girls team places,” Gill remarks.
The Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) ROV competition aims to inspire young minds to develop skills essential for careers in the maritime industry. Jill Zande, executive director of MATE, notes that the competition engages students in hands-on learning, fostering excitement about STEM and opening pathways to future opportunities in ocean technology.
A Global Stage
At the world championship, nearly 90 teams from 16 countries will test their remotely operated vehicles in a state-of-the-art flume tank at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University, designed to replicate oceanic conditions. Participants will tackle various challenges, including retrieving objects and measuring “icebergs.” Additionally, teams will act as startup companies, delivering technical documentation and marketing pitches to industry experts.
Natalie Calnek, a 16-year-old team member, reflects on the significance of their participation: “Being at the world championship might encourage other girls to join a robotics team. It provides an opportunity for girls to be interested in engineering.”
Empowering Future Generations
Penny Senior, the team’s technology and robotics teacher, underscores the importance of female representation in STEM fields. She believes women often approach problems with a unique perspective, asking critical questions about purpose and function throughout the design process. By fostering an environment where young girls can explore STEM subjects, Senior aims to empower them with the confidence and skills necessary for future success.
“If I can get them excited young, then they build that confidence, and they build that interest and energy,” she explains, noting that this enthusiasm can carry into their high school years.
For Taara Gill, who plans to pursue systems design engineering at the University of Waterloo in the autumn, the upcoming competition promises to be an exhilarating whirlwind of activity. “It’s three days of total, fast-paced, everything’s moving, everyone’s talking, things are always happening all the time,” she shares. Despite the inevitable stress, she is eager to connect with like-minded individuals from around the globe.
Why it Matters
The participation of the Where’s Waldo robotics team at the MATE ROV Competition World Championship isn’t just a personal achievement; it represents a broader movement towards inclusivity in STEM. By breaking down barriers and fostering a supportive environment for young women, this initiative not only empowers the next generation of engineers and innovators but also helps to shift societal perceptions about who can succeed in these fields. As they step onto this global stage, the Trafalgar Castle team is not just competing; they are paving the way for future female leaders in technology.
