By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The 33rd annual Halton Skills Competition, hosted by the Halton District School Board, brought together approximately 1,200 elementary students in an exciting showcase of technological skills. The elementary Halton Skills Competition took place on February 25 and 26 at New Street Education Centre, while the secondary Halton Skills Competition is set to follow on March 20, 2025, at Georgetown District High School.
With 14 competitions in total, students in grades 4 to 8 engaged in a variety of hands-on challenges, from green energy projects to construction and robotics. In the green energy section, students Vedanth, Aarav, Zoraiz, and Ayaan worked together to build a windmill to generate electricity. “Trial and error was the best teacher,” they explained when asked how they figured out the structures and mechanisms. Their wind turbine was designed to produce measurable electrical energy using a multimeter, showcasing the importance of renewable energy solutions.
In the construction category, Muhammad and Lohitaksh from Tiger Jeet Singh School in Milton focused on building a structurally sound house. “We made the foundation strong so it could hold the weight of the sandbags during the durability test at the end of the day,” they shared. The challenge required students to efficiently use wood while ensuring the structure met specific dimensions, including one door, one window, a roof, and four sides. During testing, weights of one, three, and five kilograms were placed on each structure for a total of three minutes. Impressively, none of the structures collapsed.
Technology played a significant role in the competition, as students were tasked with designing and constructing functional machines. Omar, a grade 7 student from P.L. Robertson Public School in Milton, explained his team’s project: “We are making a crane-like machine that can pick up boxes and move them, like in an Amazon warehouse.” The competition also included challenges like building a scissor lift with rear-wheel drive to reach high shelves and programming a LEGO robot to complete a Mars rescue mission.
Lego Robotics was another highly anticipated competition, where students from grades 4 to 6 were tasked with designing a lift device capable of safely transporting a Lego figurine and a weighted mass to multiple floors of a building before returning both to the ground floor. Adam, a participant from Irma Coulson Public School, reflected on the teamwork aspect of the challenge: “Working together and getting to know my peers made this experience amazing. I love building things — it makes me feel like a superhero.”
For students with a creative edge, the character animation competition encouraged teams to develop a short animation inspired by the theme of “Everyday Heroes.” Teacher Benjamin Lynch, one of the event coordinators, highlighted the inclusivity of the competition, stating, “This is the biggest year we’ve ever had, with 1,200 kids competing over two days. The Skills Ontario competition provides students who may not excel in traditional academic or sports teams an opportunity to shine in a different way.”
Sarah Patterson, instructional program lead for STEM Assessment and Instruction for HDSB, played a key role in coordinating the event. “Coordinating the Halton Skills Competition is an incredible experience because it brings together over 1,100 students from 55 schools to engage in hands-on, experiential learning,” Patterson explained. “This event isn’t just about competition — it’s about teamwork, collaboration, and inspiring students to explore their passions in science, technology, and beyond.”
Curtis Ennis, director of education for the Halton District School Board, emphasized the broader significance of the competition within the board’s educational vision: “The Halton Skills Competition inspires a passion for technology and skilled trades early in students’ educational journeys by providing hands-on learning experiences. By engaging in these challenges, students not only build confidence and problem-solving skills but also gain industry-relevant expertise that helps them envision a future where their creativity and technical abilities can thrive.”
“These competitions play an important part in fulfilling our commitment, as outlined in the HDSB’s 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, to Learning, Engagement, and Achievement by connecting classroom learning to real-world scenarios,” Ennis continued. “As students apply their knowledge to practical challenges, they develop essential skills and explore meaningful career opportunities in skilled trades and technology.”
Chris Cole, stakeholder engagement coordinator at Skills Ontario and a judge for the construction section, also highlighted the impact of these competitions. “The winning teams from this competition will go on to be part of the Ontario-wide Skills Competition. We are committed to preparing Ontario’s youth for the highly skilled economy of tomorrow. Skills Ontario partners with school boards, colleges, businesses, and governments to provide youth with opportunities to develop careers in skilled trades and technologies.”
To ensure every student had the opportunity to participate, the Halton District School Board provided significant support, covering transportation costs and registration fees. “We work hard to make sure that cost isn’t a barrier for schools to participate,” Patterson noted. “The Halton District School Board covers key expenses like transportation and registration, so teachers and students can focus on learning and creating core memories through this experience. It’s amazing to see students not only develop fundamental skills but also support each other — even across different schools.”
Each student received a Skills Competition t-shirt and lunch, reinforcing the sense of community and teamwork fostered by the event. As students tested their abilities in areas like video production, mechanical engineering, and technological innovation, the competition proved to be a valuable experience in developing real-world skills and problem-solving techniques.
As the event grows each year, the Halton Skills Competition continues to inspire young minds, bridging the gap between education and future careers in skilled trades and technologies. With hands-on experiences and a spirit of collaboration, students are gaining not just technical knowledge but also confidence in their ability to innovate and succeed.
