Meet The Team
This year's team has 15 total competing members with 3 main mentors and coaches. Let's meet the 5 members in our travel time representing FIRST Global Canadian Robotics.
Judy
HI! My name is Judy and I am a builder and next year’s captain. I am excited to be participating in the upcoming FIRST Global Challenge. Though I have always had an interest in hands-on activities and robotics, I never took the leap of faith to join…that is until I decided to join BearBella. Despite not knowing anything or anyone, it did not turn out to be as intimidating as I thought it would be. From the initial jump to now, I have gained so many experiences, learned valuable lessons, and gained so much insight and advice from the people I’ve met along the way as well as from my lovely BearBella members. My journey with BearBella has been nothing short of adventures and I can’t wait to continue the fun next year!
Ariana
Hi! So I’m Ariana and this was my first year delving into robotics as part of the engineering portfolio team which I will be leading in the upcoming season and in Greece! I had always felt daunted yet unexplainably drawn to the idea of joining the STEAM but more specifically the robotics field which was dominated by individuals I believed were far more qualified than I ever could’ve been. I was actually very reluctant to join, believing I lacked experience and skill, yet I still jumped at the opportunity to be part of what is now BearBella full of nerves and excitement. I truly appreciate FIRST and my BearBella family for making this safe space for me to explore STEAM and hope to inspire others who are just as daunted as I was and to continue the BearBella legacy.
Nancy
HI! My name is Nancy and I am a part of the social media team for BearBella, I’ll also be helping out with outreach for our upcoming FIRST Global Challenge competition in Athens, Greece! Ever since I was a kid, I've been drawn to cartoons that explored futuristic technology and robotics concepts. This early fascination ignited my passion for STEAM fields as I entered high school. Leading to me being a part of Bearbella, joining the team has not only allowed me to venture into the robotics field, but also learn valuable skills outside of the world of programming and building. Despite this being my first year with the team, I’ve already learnt so much about STEAM and teamwork!
Elvira
Hi my name is Elvira and I'm a builder and I'm also planning on driving for our upcoming competition in Greece for the first global challenge. I have always been interested in computers growing up and I've built computers in the past and I want to try building a keyboard but it's quite expensive just for a keyboard. I was originally on outreach for robotics since I want to pursue business or accounting in the future, but somehow I started building and I found that way more fun. Joining robotics has inspired me, because our team went from being ranked almost last in Ontario to being 3rd in one year. It really shows that anything is possible even if half our team didn't believe it.
Dilaany
Hi, my name is Dilaany and I’m media but an aspiring programmer for BearBella. I have always had an ambition to pursue a career in STEAM and the opportunities FIRST Tech Challenge allowed me to tinker with robotics. Ever since I was little, I was curious to know the intricacy of Boston Dynamic’s dancing robots or the innovation in creating AI. I want to be a part of this change in society and further showcase this passion in future FIRST events. I’ll be continuing my robotics journey by attending FIRST Globals at Athens, Greece this year. I’m excited to see what the future holds for BearBella and FIRST !
Our Mentors
Our mentors are Bethune staff who spend countless hours with us, from building, and facilitating events, to helping Bearbella build its' network. We could not have made it this far without them!
Ms. Chow
Hi, I’m Ms.Chow, being a mentor to these girls in robotics is more than just teaching them about technical skills. I help them make connections in our community that open doors to new opportunities. I didn't think I would be into Robotics since I loved athletic clubs all my life but here I am helping them reach out to local businesses and schools for support and resources, building partnerships that make our outreach stronger. And when it comes to sharing our journey, I guide them in using social media to showcase their work and inspire others. Together, we tell our story in a way that gets people excited about STEM. My goal is to empower these girls not just in building robots, but as leaders who can make a real difference in our world.
Mr. Lu
Hi, I’m Mr. Lu, and I am BearBella's mentor. I'm no expert, just someone who loves tech and wants to share that passion. We start with the basics, making learning fun and exciting. It's not just about building robots; it's about teamwork, problem-solving, and never giving up. I love seeing them work together on their robot, thinking creatively and supporting each other. Even after our session ends at 8, I stay behind, helping with gathering tools and resources. I'm dedicated to their journey, and it's incredibly rewarding to watch them grow and thrive in the world of robotics. Your meteoric rise makes you all stars! Don't stop shining and lighting the way for all to come!
Mr. Ishi
Hello, I’m Mr. Ishi, a mentor for BearBella. Every day, I'm here in the robotics workshop, ready to assist these girls with any technical challenges they face. I may not be a pro, but I know my way around tech, and I'm eager to share what I know. We dive into the nitty-gritty of robotics, tackling coding bugs, fine-tuning mechanical components, and troubleshooting any technical issues that arise. It's a hands-on learning experience, and I'm here to guide them every step of the way. Even after the regular session ends, I stick around, offering extra help to those who need it. Watching them overcome technical hurdles and seeing their robots come to life fills me with pride and joy.
