Lassonde School of Engineering supports Black youth from GTA in FIRST Robotics Canada competition

Collaboration inspires students to participate in robotics and create STEM futures

TORONTO, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 –In a unique collaboration to support Black youth in STEM, the Lassonde School of Engineering has partnered with the African Canadian Christian Network (ACCN) to sponsor their robotics team, made up of high school students from the local Jane-Finch community and the GTA.

As part of this collaboration, the high school students have been mentored by York University engineering faculty and a fourth-year mechanical engineering student. For several months, they have been accessing resources on campus – including the machine shop at Lassonde School of Engineering – to learn coding, prototyping, and to machine parts and assemble their robot.

The annual FIRST Robotics competition is an international competition in which teams of high school students, coaches, and mentors work together under limited time constraints to build game-playing robots that weigh up to 125 pounds.

On Thursday, February 27, high school students from the Jane-Finch community and the wider GTA, along with mentors from the Lassonde School of Engineering, will be demonstrating their work building, debugging and machining their robots ahead of the FIRST Robotics Canada Competition in March.

“These students are embarking on a transformative journey which is an inspiration to the local community,” says Terry Sachlos, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and associate director of the Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (BEST) initiative. “The Lassonde School of Engineering at York University is absolutely delighted to partner with the ACCN and support these local high school students interested in robotics and STEM.”

“FIRST Robotics Canada appreciates York University’s increased support and enthusiasm for this talented FIRST Robotics Competition team in need,” says Mark Breadner, President of FIRST Robotics Canada. “The Lassonde School of Engineering understands the importance of equal opportunity for youth in STEM and we are proud to be their partner.”

“We are so grateful to the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University for opening its doors to our Robotics students,” said ACCN Executive Director Cherryl Lewis. “The opportunity to build their robot on the campus will certainly inspire team members and provide a platform for them to be nurtured and succeed in STEM, so that they can become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.

Rev. Alvin Nicholson, ACCN Board Chair added, “We owe a special debt of gratitude to York University, FIRST Robotics Canada, ACCN mentors and parents for their inspiration and continuing support in giving our team members a seat at the STEM table.”

What: Students will demonstrate how they build their robot

When: Thursday, February 27, from 1–3 p.m.

Interviews available at:

1–3 p.m.

Terry Sachlos, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the associate director of the Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (BEST) initiative

Kim Cooper, Vice President, Partnerships, FIRST Robotics Canada
Sara Kashanchi Langroudi, fourth-year student, Lassonde School of Engineering
Cherryl Lewis, ACCN

2-3 p.m.:

High school students from Jane-Finch community and the GTA competing in FIRST Robotics Canada

Mark Breadner, President of FIRST Canada

Where: Norman Bethune College, York University Keele campus, Room BC 112, #11 on Map

To attend please RSVP to Media Contact: Anjum Nayyar, York University Media Relations, 416 736 2100 ext. 44543 or cell 437-242-1547, anayyar@yorku.ca

York University champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. York students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. York U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, York is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni. 

York U’s fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario’s Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.