The unstoppable power of a cyclone makes it a truly spectacular example of what happens when individual forces work together. The CDS Cyclone Robotics team is a perfect example of the power generated when creative minds focus their energy and time on producing a mechanical marvel like the one we developed for our inaugural year in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC).
The Cyclone Robotics team was established in the fall of 2014 after witnessing the excitement and popularity that grew from our VEX Robotics Club the year prior. We will continue to run the VEX Robotics Club year round in the Senior School as a launching pad to the FRC program. This year’s FRC team consisted of 20 students and was supervised by three passionate CDS Faculty members: Mr. Chris Wappel, Mr. Jason Jugoon, and Ms. Aimee Lee. With this team of creative minds, we were a force to be reckoned with in spite of our lack of experience.
We have grown significantly, both as individuals and as a team. Thankfully, we received generous seed funding from Mantella Venture Partners to launch the program. Additionally, other parents and partners graciously contributed to alleviate some of the costs of running such a popular program. Our mission was not to win every competition, but to immerse youth in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) related disciplines that accentuate the importance of learning in the classroom, promoting curiosity and creativity, and acting as a catalyst for newly discovered passions in engineering, science and design.
Team 4951 - The CDS Cyclones - is competing in the Provincial Championships over the next three days. Come cheer them on at The International Centre (6900 Airport Road) Hall #5 in Mississauga! Admission and parking are free, and children of all ages are welcome. There is even a Lego Robotics booth available for our younger robot enthusiasts!
Our team colour is navy blue, so wear blue and/or your CDS gear and bring your school spirit! Other teams take 60+ students and fans to each tournament. We are a small team (around 12 students), so we would welcome as many students, parents, teachers, and fans as possible to come cheer us on.
Over the March Break, Team #4951 competed at an FRC event in Newmarket. With aspirations to match last year's top finish, CDS impressively secured a spot on the #4 Alliance team.
The team demonstrated remarkable teamwork and resilience through five playoff rounds, narrowly missing a chance to compete in the finals.
This was a huge accomplishment, where everyone on the team pulled together to get the robot working to its fullest potential.
Other highlights of the tournament included the large crowds who came to see their Minecraft World and Gumball machine filled with student-created collector 4951 mini-buttons and candies.
This weekend, the Senior School Robotics Team is headed to our first tournament of the new season. The team is very excited and has been working hard to prepare the robot for the upcoming competition. Each team has an assigned ID number; our team is Team 4951 - CDS Cyclones!
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.