Honda Canada Foundation partners with FIRST Robotics Canada

High-school team members with their robot. (CNW Group/Honda Canada Inc.)

MARKHAM — Honda Canada Foundation (HCF) is contributing $375,000 over three years to FIRST Robotics Canada. HCF’s program sponsorship will support FIRST Robotics Competitions at the provincial and championship levels. Thirty high-school teams will each receive $2,000 to build robots to compete.

“Honda Canada Foundation extends its partnership with FIRST Robotics Canada as we are excited to be a part of their positive influence and exceptional programming for years to come,” said Tony Facciolo, Chair of the Honda Canada Foundation. “Engineering and STEM are at the heart of our values at Honda, and we naturally feel it is important to inspire and support the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. We look forward to seeing the best in robotics built from scratch by students competing at the FIRST Robotics Competitions.”

FIRST Robotic Competition is an annual competition where high school student teams under strict rules and limited time and resources, use sophisticated technology to build and program industrial-sized robots to play an action-packed, alliance-based game on a themed field. With professional mentors and sponsors, students learn engineering and problem-solving skills.

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“FIRST Robotics Canada is a leader in youth STEM opportunities, and we are excited to be back to full capacity at our events this year,” said David Ellis, President FIRST Robotics Canada. “To close the STEM skills gap, we need businesses and communities engaged and working together to help young people prepare for an ever-changing workforce. Our generous sponsors help to make the magic happen! We are thrilled to have the Honda Canada Foundation support our programs and youth for the next three years and to continue to inspire and open pathways for more kids.”