HWCDSB Shines - 2025 FIRST LEGO League

HWCDSB Teams Shine at the 2025 FIRST LEGO League Ontario Provincial Championship
Posted on 01/31/2025
HWCDSB First Lego League team

On January 19, 2025, Durham College’s Oshawa campus transformed into a hub of youthful ingenuity as it hosted the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Ontario Provincial Championship. This annual event brings together over 400 students from Grades 4–8 across Ontario to tackle real-world challenges through robotics, coding, and creative problem-solving. Aligned with this year’s theme, “SUBMERGED,” participants delved into the mysteries of underwater ecosystems, designing LEGO robots to address pressing environmental issues like water pollution and marine conservation.

A Triumph for Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board

Two HWCDSB teams stood out among the province’s brightest minds, earning prestigious awards at the championship. Their achievements reflect our commitment to fostering STEM excellence and nurturing future leaders.

St. Eugene Eagles: Leaders in Innovation
• Team Number: 52857
• Award: Innovation Project Award

Under the mentorship of Mr. Laing and parent coach Mrs. Banakiewicz, the St. Eugene Eagles captivated judges with their groundbreaking solution to water pollution. Their project, an educational video game inspired by Flappy Bird, immerses players in an underwater world where they navigate challenges as characters like a Deep Trekker CEO, a Navy submariner, and a diver. Through gameplay, users learn actionable steps to reduce pollution, blending education with entertainment.

• Key Feature: The game highlights real-world partnerships, including insights from Deep Trekker, a Canadian leader in underwater robotics.
• Impact: Judges praised the team’s creativity in merging technology with environmental advocacy.

St. Bernadette Bulldogs: Champions of Excellence

 • Team Number: 63478

• Award: Champion’s Award

Led by Mrs. Bannon and parent coach Mrs. Cheers, the St. Bernadette Bulldogs secured the competition’s highest honour—the Champion’s Award—for excellence in robot design, performance, and core values. Their robot demonstrated precision in completing missions like removing virtual debris and rescuing marine life, scoring top marks in strategy and engineering.

• Key Achievement: The team’s resilience in alliance matches showcased their collaborative spirit, a hallmark of FLL values.

Empowering Excellence in Robotics

FIRST LEGO League aligns with the mission of Catholic education by fostering innovation, collaboration, and ethical responsibility, all grounded in our faith. As students engage in STEM challenges, they embody the Catholic Graduate Expectations by becoming reflective, creative, and holistic thinkers who apply problem-solving skills to serve the common good.

Participation in FLL also reinforces Catholic social teaching, particularly the principles of stewardship and care for creation. By developing solutions for environmental challenges such as water pollution and marine conservation, students respond to Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si’ to be faithful stewards of the Earth. Their work reflects a commitment to social justice, as they explore ways technology can protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems.

The robotics competitions cultivate a spirit of community and servant leadership, aligning with Christ’s example of teamwork and service. HWCDSB students are not only learning about science and engineering but also strengthening virtues such as perseverance, humility, and respect. These are qualities that prepare them to be compassionate leaders in both their faith and future careers.

Congratulations, St. Eugene Eagles and St. Bernadette Bulldogs!
Your achievements inspire us all to dive deeper, dream bigger, and make waves in STEM.

Teachers and students at the Championship having funchampionship trophyTeams competingFirst Lego League team