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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, March 11, 2016 | 16 SWAT 771 all-girls robotics Sock SockS! team Missouri-bound in April SockS! Sock SockS! SockS Sock S! SockS! Sock SockS! SockS! SockS! Sock SockS! ! SockS! Sock SockS! SockS Sock SockS! S! SockS! Sock SockS! Sock SockS! Sock ! SockS S SockS! SockS SockS! Sock Sock ! SockS! ckS ckS S! ! SockS! Sock SockS! S! Sock SockS! Sock SockS! SockS Sock S SockS Sock S SockS! Sock SockS S! SockS! Sock SockS! SockS SockS S! 2016 Diamond Award FactORy SHOe OUtlet 2394 FAIRVIEW ST., BURLINGTON 905-632-9688 HOURS: Monday-Friday 9am to 9pm Saturday 9am to 6pm · Sunday 10am to 6pm FAMILY OWNED FOR 59 YEARS! emille SHOeS BURlingtOn #1 SHOE STORE #1 CHILDREN'S SHOE STORE continued from p.14 earn points by traversing barriers and shooting boulders into goals to take down enemy defenses and `capture the flag.' "This week was excellent," she said. "We've been focusing on our robot and trying to improve our competitive level in that aspect, so this year was the first year we designed our robot on CAD (computer-aided design)." The team worked hard to create the design of the robot, construct field pieces to test the robot's functionalities, test sensors and encoders and use electronic devices to analyze the robot's capabilities. As mentors, she said she and Thuy Vallance were extremely proud to see everyone's hard work and dedication realized. Not only did the girls know what they were doing, but they were confident in their abilities and were able to handle the pressure of competition, Sils noted. The team's robot was ranked 21st out of 41. While it didn't make the playoffs, the team was satisfied with its results and the experience team members gained. Wang, who was singled out for her team leadership and who has been participating in robotics competitions for the last two years, said robotics has impacted her life tremendously. "It changed me completely and opened a whole new world for me," she said, noting she's always been interested in STEM-related subjects. "English is my second language so when I came to Canada, I wasn't confident to use it," she said. "... I wasn't confident about myself, I didn't really like working as a team and I barely took leadership opportunities. As I joined robotics, I became much more confident about myself, my mentors gave me so many opportunities to show my skills and show my leadership and by working as a team, I realized that everyone's ideas contribute to the community and to the team's success." Wang's experiences motivated her to help her former schools in China take part in robotics competitions. She and some of her teammates also developed a website to help the students in China get the support information they need. The all-girls team will be heading to FIRST Robotics Canada Windsor-Essex Great Lakes Regional at University of Windsor April 6-9 before talking part in the world championships at the end of April in St. Louis. WINTER SALE Save % 24 YEARS of Business Excellence Th w o e ti N a c o locally owned and manufactured in hamilton L 352 Dosco Drive Rebate r Energy Sta We Match ent e Governm senior discounts · bonded & insured · family owned & operated the hS pay t! n 1-877-662-4440 www.customdirectwindows.com Stoney Creek Over 20,000 sq ft manufacturing facility! we ViSit our Showroom today buy direct from the factory Convert your wood burning fireplace with a beautiful gas insert by TRAVIS When purchasing a Travis fireplace you will experience EFFICIENCY, DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY UNMATCHED in fireplaces! Visit us your masonry and fireplace specialists today! and SaVe big 406 Speers Rd., Oakville 905-337-2066 | www.cobblestonembers.ca