Change The Now

11/15/2025

The energy was electric at today's Open House at Georgian College!

The Grizzly Gears FIRST Robotics Canada Team #9580 was out in full force recruiting high school students from across to join our team, mentored by Georgian College students, staff and faculty. We aim to be an inclusive, accessible team of changemakers, committed to working towards the 's as part of our mission and community outreach.

It's not too late - we're still accepting applications to join! The deadline to apply is Sunday, Nov. 16 at 11:59pm.
https://lnkd.in/gyb6ytUq

Apply today! Acceptance letters go out next week. $100 to join + a commitment to help fundraise.

Our first meeting is our Team Kick-off, scheduled for December 13. We'll break for the holidays, then come together for the Competition Launch on January 10th. For the months of January, February, and March, we'll have team meet-ups to design, build and code the robot. We'll also come together for team building, fundraising, business and event planning sessions to prepare for competition. These meet-ups will be held 3-4 days per week, from 5-9pm. Team members are encouraged to attend at least once per week but come as often as your schedule allows. We also meet about every other Saturday through the winter season for team meetings, collaboration, teambuilding, changemaking, preparation and leadership training. March/April is competition season. We are scheduled to attend one at Georgian College - Barrie Campus and one in North Bay this year. If we make it to Provincials, we'll be heading to Niagara in April.

No skill required - just an interest and passion to learn and be part of something incredible. Lean into your superpowers, grow with team, develop your STEM and changemaking abilities.

We are also seeking sponsorship and donations to help make the magic happen and build STEM leaders in our region. To donate or sponsor, click here https://lnkd.in/gyb6ytUq, comment below or reach out to us at [email protected]

10/23/2025

Join us at the Robotics Showcase, presented by the Grizzly Gears, FIRST Robotics Team #9580

Sunday, November 2nd, 12-4pm
Georgian College, Barrie Campus
N Building, FREE event, parking $7

To RSVP and more info. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/robotics-showcase-tickets-1761715070199?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/03/2025

🚀 Team 9580 Grizzly Gears at FIRST Robotics Provincials! 🌊 🦀 🐠

The hard work has paid off, and we’ve made it to the FIRST Robotics Provincials in Mississauga! From today through Saturday, our team is ready to take on the challenge—navigating coral reefs, harvesting algae, and pushing our robot to perform at its best.

Qualifying matches run today and tomorrow, leading up to the big competition on Saturday. But it’s about more than just the game—it’s about alliances, collaboration, and celebrating every win along the way. We’re here to cheer on our fellow teams, build friendships, and showcase the power of teamwork and innovation.

Want to donate or join the waitlist to be on the team next year, https://flow.page/changethenow

Let’s go, Grizzly Gears! 🏆🔧

03/19/2025

With AutoHACK taking place during Ramadan, we are providing early breakfast and late dinner options, along with a nearby prayer space. Please reach if you have any questions to [email protected]

Only a few spaces left - sign up now!

📅 March 21-22, 2025
📍 ABSC Event Space, Georgian College (Barrie Campus)
🔗 Learn more and register now—before it's too late! https://autohack2025.eventbrite.ca

Proudly powered by: Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Georgian College, Honda, the Government of Canada, Employment Ontario, OVIN, and the Province of Ontario.

03/19/2025

Proud Moment from Competition Weekend with Grizzly Gears Team 9580! 🚨 🤖

We’re thrilled to announce our latest standing after our second FIRST Robotics Canada event of the season! With an outstanding reputation across the teams, we’ve earned the respect of many, which is essential when it comes to building alliances, fostering partnerships, and demonstrating our commitment to gracious professionalism. 🙌

Currently, we’re sitting at 24th place out of 130 teams—an incredible achievement for a second-year rookie team like ours! 🏅💥

While we know our position may shift over the next few weekends as more events unfold, the odds are in our favour. Although we’re still awaiting official confirmation, we’re preparing as though we’ll be headed to provincials!

Be sure to follow along as we continue our journey!

Thank you to Georgian College, College Engineering and Environmental Technologies, Skilled Trades, Georgian College Research & Innovation, , Motion Trailer Rentals in and our other fans and supporters for helping get us here.

🔗 Follow our progress here:
2025 Ontario District FRC Event https://lnkd.in/gEb4v9-P
Grizzly Gears - Team 9580 - The Blue Alliance https://lnkd.in/gWv8AyAC

Shout out to our amazing mentors and team supporters Harrison Storey, Jordi Dykstra, Keeling, Tsui, Tsui, Marley Gaspirc, Blake Riggs, Baxter, Ohmeshree Brahmbhatt, Divnoor Sahi, Mariana Lima, Prabhjot Nanrey, Andrew Cywink - C.E.T., M.E., Daniel Clements, Joanne Foxton, Nicole Norris, Mira Ray, Rebecca Sabourin!

03/03/2025

One day we're just a bunch of everyday changemakers and the next day, we're a proud group of changemaker champions!!!! Congratulations to our FIRST Robotics Canada Team #9580 - the Grizzly Gears who came in 2nd place at their first competition of the season in Newmarket at with our robot "Bear-acuda" thanks to being part of the !

Super proud of these future leaders and the way they showed up this weekend. It takes a lot of teamwork, leadership, commitment and empathy to get into the spirit and mindset for competition. While I'm sure these changemakers have ideas and inspiration as to how to improve our bot for our next competition coming up at Durham College, they have much to be proud of in our relationships, our reputation and what we stand for as a team. We are inclusive, collaborative and have a safety-first mindset. We share ideas and value other people's thoughts and experiences. We show up informed and prepared with a winning spirit. This is just the beginning!

To learn more about our team https://lnkd.in/g6awSSjd

02/27/2025

Guess where we're heading this weekend? You guessed it! It's our first, FIRST Robotics Canada competition of the season and we're headed to ! Get ready to cheer on Team #9580 - The Grizzly Gears at !

We get to show up like professionals, with an enclosed trailer rental, sponsored by Motion Trailer Rentals https://lnkd.in/gnRKeena in thanks to our buddy Frank! We'll use the trailer to get our robot and competition gear to our destination safely and smoothly with thanks to Motion Trailer Rentals.

Sending a shout out to for supporting the safe arrival of the trailer.

10/19/2024

We are recruiting for our FIRST Robotics Canada Team, the Grizzly Gears that will compete at district competitions in March 2025. We're looking for high school students in grades 9-12 from across the County of Simcoe who are looking to be the next group of changemakers to take on this year's challenge!

Students who are interested in hands on learning, STEM, coding, innovation, business and event planning, fundraising and more are exactly who we are looking for. The team will be mentored by Georgian College students, faculty and staff and meet ups will take place evenings and weekends at the Barrie Campus starting in December through until March 2025.

Join us at an upcoming information session to learn more about the commitment and what's involved.

Hey there! Join us for a virtual info session all about First Robotics - learn about competitions, teams, and how to get involved!