Robotics71 team 7842F (Fractal) attends VEX Robotics World Championships

Comox Valley Schools Robotics71 team 7842F (Fractal) attends the 2026 World Championship from April 21-24 in St. Louis, Missouri. The team earned the opportunity to represent Vancouver Island on a world stage by winning the Vancouver Island Regional Championship’s Design Award in late February. The VEX Robotics World Championship event hosted 865 teams from around the world, made up of the world’s brightest and most successful robotics and engineering secondary students.

Team 7842F’s senior players Levi Milligan (J.P. Vanier Secondary) and Laurian Blachford (Mark R. Isfeld Secondary) were joined by Team 7842 members Jack Wright and Ella Gaudet (Highland Secondary). 7842F’s third senior team member Zane Radawiec (Mark R Isfeld Secondary) contributed to all the team’s successes during the robotics season but was unable to attend Worlds.

 

Fractal’s opening days began with a string of wins against their division opponents. Their driver, Laurian, with strategic guidance from Levi and support from Ella and Jack, showed why they deserved to be on the world stage. The following days proved more challenging and, in the end, Fractal was unable to advance to the finals. The four students ended up in 39th place in their division and in the top 390 of all teams worldwide.

Robotics71 is a district-wide after school robotics program based out of Highland Secondary School offered to all Comox Valley Schools students in grades 9-12. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., allowing students from other schools time to arrive.

Robotics incorporates mechanics, coding, driving skills and teamwork. Providing students with a solid foundation of skills for future careers in STEAM fields. https://www.comoxvalleyschools.ca/robotics71/