Robots Create Excellent Learning Adventures
by Bob Tone

In 1995, Gino Grieco the TCDSB Technology Resource Teacher, paid our entry fee of $5,000 to enable the first Falcon Knight to compete in an Ontario / Quebec competition at Space Camp Canada in Laval, Quebec.
During our two days of competition the team rebuilt their robot 4 times moving from a belt drive system, to a four wheel drive system, to an in-direct drive system and eventually to a tricycle wheel configuration.
The team was elated when on the second day of competition they managed to score their one and only point during the competition.
All the way home they talked about how they should have built their robot and in January they started over and built Falcon Knight 2 committing a serious amount of after school time and energy to a robot that they knew would never see a competition arena.
At this point Mark Dimonte and I realized Robotics offered a dynamic, stimulating and exceptionally fun learning experience for all involved, students and teachers alike, which we wanted to continue.
I told Gino, “If you give me another $5,000 I will give you a Robot Challenge that can involve the entire school board for many years not just a one time experience for one school.” With Gino’s second $5,000 and additional funding provided by the Francis Libermann Community Counsel and Torcomp/Studica the Falcon Knight Robotic Challenge was launched.