YRSC Skills Challenge Descriptions

​This challenge will evaluate each team’s ability to combine their skills and knowledge in the field of character animation. Working in teams of four (4), students will create animated character(s) to be the main focus of their animation. The animation should be long enough to tell a story from the theme given on the day of the challenge.​

​Students will be presented with a problem-solving situation. Using the contents in the LEGO kits provided (EV3 Expansion kits). The teams of four (4) will design, construct and present their solution. The problem situation will be consistent with the expectations from the Ontario science and technology curriculum for each division.

Teams of two (2) competitors each are required to produce a 1 minute video on the theme stated at the beginning of the challenge. Competitors must decide on the best use of their time to plan, script, shoot and edit the final production. All aspects of the production assignment are completed on-site by competitors. Skills and knowledge to be tested include: production planning and design, camera work, audio use, editing, storytelling, teamwork, time management and problem solving.​

​This challenge will evaluate each team’s ability to combine their skills and knowledge in the field of character animation. Working in teams of four (4), students will create animated character(s) to be the main focus of their animation. The animation should be long enough to tell a story from the theme given on the day of the challenge.​

​Students will be presented with a problem-solving situation. Using the contents in the LEGO kits provided (EV3 Expansion Kits). The teams of four (4) will design, construct and present their solution. The problem situation will be consistent with the expectations from the Ontario science and technology curriculum for each division.

Teams of two (2) are given a theme and then challenged to tell a story. The contest will focus on the competitors' abilities to tell their story on paper through character model sheets and storyboards prepared in advance of the contest. Competitors will then bring their story to life by creating and animating the depicted storyboarded scenes.

​Using a fully realized 3D animated character capable of expressing emotion, the teams must create a short movie. Competitors then share their animation, storyboard and model sheets to a panel of judges during a final formal presentation.

Students are to demonstrate their fashion design and construction skills through a fashion drawing and the creation of a garment sewn from a pattern.

• NOTE: Paper patterns will be sent to teachers prior to the competition once the student paperwork has been received at CLL.

​Competitors must design and produce a branded promotional advertisement in advance of the actual competition day. Competitors will design a logo, e-blast and business card targeted at an audience of youth aged 14-21 which will be presented to a panel of judges. Mounting and displaying the work will be done at the event. One additional design task will also be done at the competition. Contest details to be posted in the scope below.

​Students will be challenged in various aspects of Studio Production. This may include practical skills in such applications as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and/or Adobe Illustrator. Project planning, knowledge of design basics, and technical competence is a must.

​The competitors must demonstrate their technical and creative skills by creating two different fashion-conscious looks during the hairstyling contest. These looks include a women's trendy salon style and ladies elegant evening hairstyle.

• NOTE: Mannequins will be sent to teachers prior to the competition once the student paperwork has been received.

​Competitors will apply to a job by submitting a targeted resume and cover letter. They will then be interviewed for the position with questions about their skills, knowledge, education and experience. Job postings will be provided within the scope of this contest for a targetted resume and cover letter.

​The Photography contest will evaluate students' skills in digital photography. Competitors will be graded on their photographic eye, digital capture, digital production, digital output and professionalism.

​The Prepared Speech contest allows competitors to demonstrate their ability to clearly and effectively prepare and present on a given topic. Competitors choose to present in either English or French. Speeches are 5 to 7 minutes in length. Competitors are evaluated on content, ability to convey their message and overall delivery.

Teams of two (2) competitors are required to produce a 2-3 minute informational/promotional video on a theme given at the beginning of the challenge. Competitors must use their time to plan, script, shoot and edit the final video, all in one day. Top two (2) YRSC placements qualify for Skills GTA Regional Competition at Humber College​.​

​Teams of four (4) students will design, construct and program an autonomous robot using LEGO EV3 or similar lego.Robots compete to accomplish several specific tasks/objectives. Prior to the competition each team will be required to design, build, program and test their robot. Teams should come to the competition with their rot fully designed, constructed and programmed to solve the challenges which will be outlined in the scope. Time will be provided before each event to test and make adjustments to each team’s robot on the official competition playing surface.Note that the qualifying event for this takes place a few weeks before YRSC in January.The top teams from each of the Regional Qualifying events will move to this event at Humber College.

​Teams of four (4) students will design, construct and program an autonomous robot using LEGO EV3 or similar lego. Robots compete to accomplish several specific tasks/objectives. Prior to the competition, each team will be required to design, build, program and test their robot. Teams should come to the competition with their rot fully designed, constructed and programmed to solve the challenges which will be outlined in the scope. Time will be provided before each event to test and make adjustments to each team’s robot on the official competition playing surface. Note that the qualifying event for this takes place a few weeks before YRSC in January. The top teams from each of the Regional Qualifying events will move to this event at Humber College.

Teams of four (4) will design and construct a green energy project. Teams will be judged on the measurable components of the project such as electrical energy as well as teamwork, quality of construction and safety.​Please note that this event take place in March at the Elementary Carpentry event at the College of Carpentry.

​Teams of four students are asked to construct a scale model of a modest house based on a design they arrived with. Team construction projects will be judged on a number of criteria including creativity, quality, teamwork, demonstration of basic practical and theoretical knowledge of Residential House Design and Construction.​​ NOTE: This challenge takes place at the Elementary Carpentry event in March at the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades.

As the lead design team of 4 students in grades 4 -6 , you will be tasked with designing and building a machine that will be used to pick up items and pack them in boxes to maximize packing space.The ability to create a concept, design and build a machine within given time constraints using a variety of purchased and recycled materials provided is required.Students’ knowledge and ability to make and use gears and pulleys in systems is essential as well as being familiar with levers, ramps (inclined planes), conveyors (horizontal movement systems), lifts (vertical movement systems), changing from horizontal to vertical direction, hinging systems, and Jinx framing (wooden strips secured with card-stock gussets).

As the lead design team of 4 students in grades 7 or 8, you will be tasked at designing and building a machine that will be used to pack, move, pickup, and load. You will require the ability to create a concept, design, and build a machine within given time constraints using given supplies. Students should be prepared to use a variety of purchased and recycled materials provided. It is recommended that students are familiar with variants of ramps, levers, conveyors, and lifts performing a combination of horizontal, vertical, and rotational movements. Knowledge of multiple systems of inertia using gears, pulleys, lever, hydraulic and pneumatic systems is required.

​​Using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, competitors must showcase their design and drawing skills. The designs/drawings are judged on three broad categories: architecture, engineering and construction.​​

The competitors will be evaluated on their carpentry skills required for residential construction. Competitors may be asked to interpret detailed drawings as they safely and accurately measure, layout and assemble framing systems such as floors, walls and roofs. Competitors should be familiar with both Western Platform Framing and aspects of Post and Beam Construction along with the installation of wall openings, sheathing, decks, stairs and trim. Top two YRSC placements may qualify for Skills GTA Regional Competition at Humber College in April.​

In teams of two (2), students will be graded on their practical abilities pertaining to carpentry. Teams will be given a project (eg. toy box) and assessed on general practices, blueprint reading, design/layout, construction and assembly of project. ​

Around the world, designers, engineers and carpenters are building amazing machines to m​ake our life easier….but not in this case! Students in grade 9-10 are invited gather a team of 4, to build a Rube Gold machine—a very complex machine designed to complete a simple task—to pop a balloon. Students will be given an assortment of materials to build a Rube Goldberg machine that has a minimum of 3 simple machines, 2 energy transfers and demonstration of continual motion.​​

​​Teams of students independently design, fabricate, operate robots capable of completing the competition tasks in competition with other student-fabricated robots. The challenge at YRSC is based on the similar requirements as at the Skills Ontario Competition.

The contest will be using the Skills Ontario scope, with some changes to be identified to accommodate the playing surface and time available at Seneca College. No playoffs as the York Region Skills Challenge is one day only. One entry per school unless spots available after initial registration has closed.

Notes:

• All students who are under 21 years of age and a student in a YRDSB school for the current year are eligible to participate at the York Region Skills Challenge. Please note the eligibility criteria for Skills Ontario Competition (S.O.C.) in the Skills Ontario scope.

• If the first place team at YRSC is comprised of YRDSB students who do not Possess a Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status, the subsequent placing team with all eligible members will represent YRDSB at Skills Ontario if a spot is secured

Additional Resource: S.O.C. Robotics Q&A​​

​​The Workplace Safety contest promotes the use of practical knowledge application, research and presentation skills used in the field of health and safety. Competitors will demonstrate health and safety principles including the ability to identify and assess workplace hazards, research and present a health and safety topic. This contest has two activities which provide the competitor the opportunity to demonstrate these skills.​​

Skills Ontario Virtual Competitions form April 18 to 29

Skills Ontario runs events that we do not run at York Region Skills (YRSC).  Schools who have eligible student(s) requesting to compete at the ‘Skills Ontario Competition’ events outlined below, are invited to apply for a spot in the competition.   If multiple requests for an event are received, a draw will occur for one team/individual to represent York Region if a spot becomes available. 

Elementary: 

Secondary: 

​See the Skills Ontario information package for other events.  Speak to your school for more information.