Avon Maitland students head to Skills Ontario Competition

Elementary students with the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) have created award-winning inventions using household odds and ends.

Young innovators from across the region have earned their way to the provincial stage at this year's Skills Ontario Junk Drawer Races.

The students experienced the world of skilled trades and technology by tackling creative engineering challenges. Teams used everyday materials to dream big, build smart, and put their creations to the test.

AMDSB students collected an impressive number of medals at the Western Regional competition. Little Falls Public School dominated the Robot Walker competition for Grades 1 to 3, capturing all three podium spots. Sprucedale Public School sped to gold in the Cardboard Car Race, while South Perth Centennial Public School soared to the top in the Grade 6 Paper Glider event. Brookside Public School also earned multiple medals in the Hydraulic and Pneumatic Machine Challenge for Grades 7 and 8.

Junk Drawer Races Silver Medal Winners Bro’s Craning from Brookside Public School From Left: Foster Lambourn, Mason Fielder, Easton Andrew, Liam MacDougall. Photo from AMDSBJunk Drawer Races Gold Medal Winners Eagle 2.0 from South Perth Centennial Public School From Left: Edwin Froud, Angus Queen, Aiden Mills-Rastin. Photo from AMDBS

The momentum carried straight through to the provincial finals, where AMDSB students once again delivered standout performances. Little Falls Public School claimed gold in the Robot Walker event, South Perth Centennial Public School earned top honours in Paper Glide, and Brookside Public School secured a silver medal in the Hydraulic and Pneumatic Machine Challenge.

“These results highlight the incredible creativity and problem-solving skills of our elementary students,” said Jodi Froud, OYAP Recruiter with the Avon Maitland District School Board. “Through initiatives like the Junk Drawer Races, students are introduced to hands-on learning that builds confidence, teamwork, and an early awareness of the skilled trades and technology pathways available to them.”

A large contingent of AMDSB students is now preparing to head to the Skills Ontario Competition, taking place May 4 and 5 at the Toronto Congress Centre. A total of 52 elementary students will represent the board at the provincial event, with several advancing through qualifying competitions held at the Pathways Innovation Centre.

Secondary students are also gearing up for the challenge. After competing in local contests and qualifying rounds at Fanshawe College, ten AMDSB students have secured their spots at the provincial competition.

Local Skills Ontario Competition - Electrical, Team of 2 Carpentry, Individual Carpentry, Welding DCVI, GDCI, LDSS, SHDHS. Photo from AMDSBSkills Ontario - Team of 2 Carpentry Goderich District Collegiate Institute From Left: Braydon Curran, Dylan McNeil. Photo from AMDSB

“The interest in the Skills Ontario Competition continues to grow across AMDSB, and it’s exciting to see students pursuing opportunities to showcase their skills,” said Froud. “For many, the local and qualifying competitions provide valuable experience and a glimpse of what it will be like to compete at the provincial level, where hundreds of students participate, and thousands attend.”