Union Gas supports FIRST Robotics Canada with $50,000 grant

FIRST Robotics Competition, run by FIRST Robotics Canada, is an annual competition where high school students team up with technology companies to build robots in high-intensity “robo-sports” competitions with the help of volunteer professional mentors.  Over six weeks, student teams raise funds, design a team brand, and build and program robots to perform specific tasks against competitors in regional events held in several provinces.

FIRST Robotics Competitions combine the excitement of sport with the rigours of the STEM disciplines: science, technology, engineering and math.  Union Gas has also mentored several of the teams, with company employees volunteering to give direction and support.

For 2015, Union Gas will support the following teams:

“Cougar Robotics” at Cardinal Carter High School in Leamington.
“Raider Robotics” at H.B. Beal Secondary School in London.
“Sir Lancer Bots” at Elmira District Secondary School in Elmira.
“eNimkii” at Nbisiing Secondary School in North Bay.
“C.K. Cyber Pack,” community team in Chatham.
“Northern Lights Robotics” at Timmins High and Vocational School in Timmins.
W.A.F.F.L.E.S. Community Robotics community team in Kingston.
“CN Robotics” at Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School in Stoney Creek.
“During the planning stage, the building stage and the competitions, young participants form skills that will help make them the leaders of tomorrow,” said Paul Rietdyk, ‎vice president of engineering, construction and storage and transmission operations for Union Gas. “We believe in young people, and support their curiosity, their imagination, their passion and drive.”

“FIRST Robotics Canada is very pleased to be partnering with Union Gas at the Gold sponsorship level,” said Mark Breadner, executive director from FIRST Robotics Canada. “This funding will greatly assist our mission of inspiring young people to pursue further studies and careers in the fields of science, technology and engineering.”

For more than 100 years, Union Gas has been privileged to work in more than 400 Ontario communities. In addition to providing natural gas delivery services for homes and businesses, Union Gas has contributed to the province through economic investments, available jobs, municipal taxes, energy efficiency programs, volunteer hours, charitable giving and sponsorships. Last year alone, Union Gas contributed over $3.3 million to community and charitable organizations across Ontario, including more than $1,019,000 to United Way. In addition Union Gas employees, retirees, family and friends provided over 19,600 volunteer hours to help strengthen the communities where they live and work.

Visit FIRST Robotics Canada on YouTube.