Skills competition attracts students from Milton, Oakville, Burlington and Halton Hills

Students from across Halton Region will gather in March to display their talents.

The 32nd annual Halton Skills competition will see 800 elementary students showcase their skills in collaborative groups across various disciplines including robotics, animation, construction, mechanical engineering and TV/video production.

According to Sarah Patterson, Instructional Program Lead – STEM Assessment and Instruction with the Halton District School Board. the competition engages students in solving authentic problems and fosters collaboration-based critical thinking.

The event will take place March 1 at West Oak Public School in Oakville from 9;30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again on March 5 at the New Street Education Centre in Burlington from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Two days are needed for the competition this year because of the increasing level of student participation, according to Patterson.

“Participation in the Halton Skills Competition goes beyond the immediate thrill of the competition and highlights its contribution to student development,” Patterson says. “Activities like the Halton Skills Competition help students see future opportunities in the skilled trades, fostering innovative approaches and bridging the gap between theoretical learning and hands-on practical real-world scenarios.”

Local participants have the chance to qualify for the Skills Ontario Competition scheduled for May 6 in Toronto.