Vex Robotics Tournament (January 31st)
Robotics71 is hosting the “Vancouver Island North” Vex Robotics tournament. Over 40 teams from across Vancouver Island will make their way to Highland Secondary to compete in the hopes of winning a berth to the Vancouver Island Regional Championship held at Brentwood College School at the end of February! The Winning teams of the Vancouver Island Championship are invited to the World Championship held between April 21 – April 24 in St Louis, Missouri. USA.
These students are your future Engineers, Technologists, Electricians, etc. Many of our local students have gone on to work in companies like; Tesla, Airbus, Garmin, SHOCKWAVE seats, Houle Electric, Amada Canada, and the list goes on…
Date: Saturday, January 31st
Location: Highland Secondary School Gym
Best times to watch: 10:00am – 12:00pm & 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Looking for more information?
Please contact
steve.claassen@sd71.bc.ca (Robot Steve)
Teams
Robotics71 (G.P. Vanier/Highland/Isfeld)
Queen Margaret’s School (Duncan)
Aspengrove School (Lantzville)
Claremont Secondary School (Victoria)
Alberni District Secondary School (Port Alberni)
Francis Kelsey Secondary (Mill Bay)
Brentwood College School (Mill Bay)
Shawnigan Lake School (Shawnigan Lake)
Gulf Island Secondary (Saltspring Island)
Robotics71
Robotics71 is a district-wide after school robotics program offered to Comox Valley students Grade 8 through Grade 12.
Robotics71 has previously been the umbrella name for Vex Robotics teams at NIDES (7842), Mark R. Isfeld (1136), G.P. Vanier (149) and Highland Secondary(1139). We also support Lego Robotics, Skills Canada Robotics and FIRST Robotics all of which have been offered to Comox Valley Students for over a decade. We have now consolidated into an accredited district-wide program, offered to all high school students in school district 71.
Robotics incorporates mechanics, coding, driving skills and teamwork, and provides students with a solid foundation of hands-on and technical skills for futures in STEAM fields like engineering, automation and computer science.
Robotics71 Team – For Grade 9-12s
Location: Highland Secondary School Auto Shop (The “BotShop”)
Start Date: September 16, 2025
Program End Date: June 30, 2026
Hours: 4:00pm to 6:00pm (There is time for students from other schools to arrive by bus). We also have optional late evenings once per week (until 7:30 or so)
Days of the week: Tuesday and Thursday
Instructor/Coach: Matt Sydor (Highland Secondary Technology/Shop Teacher)
Potential Course Credit: Depending on a students involvement, at grade 10, 11, or 12 you can receive credit for; Robotics 10, Robotics 11, Engineering 11, Engineering 12, Mechatronics 12, Robotics 12 and potentially others.
Program Fee: $250
Registration is required, please contact
Matt.Sydor@sd71.bc.ca (Highland Secondary Technology Teacher)
2025-2026 Robotics71 Sponsors
(Vex & Skills Canada)
