Local schools hope to do well at FIRST Annual robotics competition slated for this weekend By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 23 · Friday, March 26, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Oakville is well represented at this weekend's FIRST Robotics Waterloo Regional competition, with three local schools competing. More than 30 schools from across Canada are competing in the event with the hope of moving on to the world championships that will take place in Atlanta, Georgia later this year. A maximum of six teams can be selected to move onto the world championships, however, teams get a second chance to qualify with a similar competition that takes place in Mississauga's Hershey Centre the following weekend. The two events are Canada's only regional qualifying competitions for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics world championships. The Oakville schools participating are St. Mildred'sLightbourn School, Oakville Trafalgar High School and White Oaks Secondary School. They are joined by the other Halton Region schools which are M.M Robinson Secondary School and Burlington Central High School. "This competition is very important," said Evelyn Wainewright, member of the Oakville Trafalgar team, who was speaking to the Halton District School Board on Wednesday, March 24. "Besides the obvious, these are students who aren't often represented in other extra-curricular activities. These are students who often excel in match, science and engineering who may not be the most athletic or most artistic but we certainly encourage our students to be well-rounded." She also noted that the robotics teams include more than just students who build robots. There are also students involved in community outreach, fundraising, media and many other areas involved in the robotics teams. The competition is taking place at the University of Waterloo until Sunday. The Regional Municipality of Halton T-091-10(A) www.halton.ca REQUEST FOR PREQUALIFICATION Residential Waste Collection Notice collection will take place on Saturday, April 3, 2010. There is no change to residential waste collection the week of April 5, 2010. Please place your waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Please check your 2010 Waste Management Guide and Collection Calendar for your collection area details, or visit www.halton.ca/waste to use our "Search by Address" tool. Issue Date: Thursday, March 25, 2010 Closing Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010 Bid documents can be viewed or obtained on and after the issue date from Purchasing Services Halton Region, 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, ON, L6M 3L1, during regular Halton Waste Management Site (HWMS) will be closed Friday, April 2, 2010 Regular Operating Hours www.halton.ca/shop Fees at the Halton Waste Management Site For general waste and use of the Container Station, the user fees are: Halton Region relies on this advertisement to provide public notice of this business opportunity and is not obligated to notify any potential bidders in any other manner. For further information go to: www.halton.ca/shop Lights out for Climate Change For a full list of HWMS fees, visit www.halton.ca/waste or call Halton Region by dialing For the third consecutive year, Halton Region will turn out the lights for Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27 at 8:30 p.m.. A global initiative led by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour encourages communities and individuals around the world to turn out their lights for one hour to symbolize their commitment to The following materials are accepted free of charge at the Halton Waste Management Site: Gary Carr Regional Chair 20 L per trip Used tires up to 5 tires per household per trip Visit www.halton.ca/waste for a complete list of acceptable materials. Some conditions may apply. Sometimes it's the little actions that mean the most. Support Earth Hour by reducing your energy usage for one hour at 8:30 p.m. on March 27. Making an effort for change can be as simple as turning off the lights! Halton Regional Meeting Schedule March 31 April 2 April 13 April 14 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Regional Council Offices Closed for Good Friday Health & Social Services Committee Planning & Public Works Committee Admin & Finance Committee 260310 Meetings can be viewed at www.halton.ca Please let us know as soon as possible if you will have an accessibility or accommodation need at a Halton Region hosted event or meeting.