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For the first time in Dr. Norman Bethune CI robotics history, three teams, Devolotics 19498, Robearctics 19500 and BudjetTech 25049, represented the TDSB at the FIRST Robotics World Championships in Houston, Texas, competing against 336 teams from around the world. The teams earned three of Ontario’s six qualifying spots at the FIRST Ontario Provincials and achieved remarkable success, with Devolotics and Robearctics crowned tournament champions. All three teams also received top Inspire Awards, recognizing excellence in robot design, engineering and community outreach.
At the World Championships, Robearctics placed 17th in the Edison Division and earned Bethune’s first-ever world-stage award, receiving 2nd place for the Reach Award for their STEAM outreach efforts. Devolotics finished 35th in their third trip to Houston, led primarily by a rookie team, while BudjetTech made an impressive world-stage debut following a highly successful season.
These achievements reflect the dedication and leadership of Bethune’s robotics students, mentors, sponsors and broader school community in making STEAM learning accessible and engaging for all.