Competitions
The STEM centre hosts and encourages student participation in a number of annual science competitions and fairs.
Bridge building
Regularly hosted by the STEM Centre, the bridge-building competition is open to all Vanier students. The objective is to build a practical bridge with materials provided that allows vehicles to pass from one side to the other. Bridges are tested for their load-bearing capacity and efficiency factor (load over mass ratio). Students are invited to participate in teams of up to four people. Teams are given a couple weeks to build their submissions according to specifications, which are then judged by faculty and awarded prizes.
CRC Robotics
The CRC Robotics competition is a national event in which high schools and cégeps compete annually. Held in February, the competition combines science, mathematics, computers, arts, and languages. The Vanier Robotics team participates each year.
Math and programming contests
The STEM Centre offers students the opportunity to participate in some of Canada’s most prestigious mathematics and computing competitions, organized by the University of Waterloo. Notably, Vanier students can participate in the Euclid Contest, Canadian Computing Competition and Canadian Senior and Intermediate Mathematics Contests. Learn more about these contests over at UWaterloo’s CEMC.