Eighteen teams from 12 Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario elementary schools competed in the eighth annual Great Robotics Challenge (Grand défi robotique) in Sudbury March 4.

The Grand défi robotique enabled students from Grades 4-8 to display their creativity, ingenuity and tenacity, a press release from the school board stated.

Each team of four students was tasked with constructing a robot made from LEGO NXT blocks. The robots were then tested in two different contests, which measured the strength and precision of the machines as well as the success of its programming and level of control by its student masters.

The competition measured the efficiency of the robots. Prizes were also awarded for quality of school banners and team cheers.

The following is a list of the winners:

Junior Division (Grades 4- 6):
1st place: École Ste-Marie Ordilions (Azilda)
2nd place: École St-Pierre Robo-panthères (Sudbury)
3rd place: École Alliance St-Joseph Robolynx A (Chelmsford)

Intermediate Division (Grades 7- 8):
1st place: École Notre-Dame de la Merci Francobots (Coniston)
2nd place: École Félix-Ricard Cyber Jaguars (Sudbury)
3rd place: École Saint-Joseph Pieuvotique (Dubreuilville)

Best Banner
Junior Division: École Sacré-Coeur Robo-Francos (Chapleau)
Intermediate Division: École Félix-Ricard Cyber Jaguars (Sudbury)

Best Team Cheer
Junior Division: École Sacré-Coeur Technojag (Chapleau)
Intermediate Division: École Félix-Ricard Robo-ricard (Sudbury)