Kingston teens score big with robot win at major competition

BGC South East team helps bring home silver in standout showing for city robotics groups.

A team of Kingston youth is celebrating a major robotics win after earning silver at a regional competition hosted by Durham College.

The Machine Mavericks from BGC South East were selected for the playoff rounds by alliance captain W.A.F.F.L.E.S., another Kingston-based team. Together, they helped secure the medal — marking the city’s first double-Kingston podium finish since 2018.

The event is part of the FIRST Robotics Competition, where high school students design and operate complex robots.

This season, Mavericks members spent more than 1,000 hours building their 150-pound robot using advanced tools and coding.

Two other Kingston teams also earned recognition, with W.A.F.F.L.E.S. finishing second overall and Lake Effect receiving a sportsmanship award.

All three teams train at BGC South East’s STEM centre, which has supported thousands of young participants in recent years.

Story by Alyssa Brush

More from KINGSTON Top 3

  • Kingston Weather

    Sleet

    High: 1°C | Low: -3°C