Students from across the province worked in pairs to build, program and test their bots. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Polytechnic)

By larongeNOW Staff

SUMObots

Kinistino, La Ronge students go for ‘Gears and Glory’ at annual Sask Polytech robot rumble

May 11, 2025 | 1:00 AM

There were 69 teams, 138 students from 29 high schools and it all came down to the last robot standing.

The high school students from across Saskatchewan showcased their technical expertise and problem-solving abilities at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Robot Rumble. The event saw students working in pairs to build, program and test their bots suing SUMO robot kits and compete in two categories: stock and modified.

Event organizers said similar to traditional Japanese sumo wrestling matches, the SUMObots battled it out in a ring, aiming to push their opponent’s robot out during the round-robin tournament which led to the final rumbles in the afternoon.

“Robot Rumble offers students a unique chance to develop skills like problem-solving, teamwork and creativity,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. “This event introduces students to STEM education and careers, and also ignites a passion for innovation and technology that can drive positive change in our world.”

Sask Polytech’s Electronic Systems Engineering Technology students and instructors assist with the setup and judging. In fact, three of those students got their start in Robot Rumble during high school.

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Hadley Gariepy and Warren Harding from Kinistino took home second place in the Stock Robots category. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Polytechnic)

In the Stock Robots category, Hadley Gariepy and Warren Harding from Kinistino Public School took second place. The prize was a $1,000 tuition credit and $150 cash each.

Samantha Unanan and Joie Martillan from La Ronge took first and second place in the Modified Robots category. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Polytechnic)

Students from La Ronge took first and second place in the Modified Robots category: Samantha Unanan from Churchill Community High School received a $1,500 tuition credit and $250 cash for her efforts, while Joi Martillan, also from Churchill Community High School, took home the second place prize.

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