Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year Is Now Open.
Returning students must submit their continuation emails by March 1.   After this date, returning students will be waitlisted for the upcoming year should the program be full.

A Competitive Team Robotics Program
Great Bots of Fire is a competitive team robotics program that provides students the opportunity to explore various elements of mechatronics and robotics.  Throughout the year, students will be participating in an engineering design challenge / cooperative game known as the VEX IQ System.  Students who are successful in the program exhibit the following:

Teamwork – Students work collaboratively in small teams to design, build, program, test and iterate various robots using the VEX IQ System.  They are also part of a larger team of Ten Ton Robotics and work to enhance the development of this organization.

Independence – This is a student-centered program and students lead their own development through inquiry.  There are many resources available for students to accelerate their learning.

Perseverance – Due to the level of ongoing challenge, students must take risks and learn from failure during this year-long journey.

Respect – We work to create and sustain a positive and nurturing learning environment for students so the expectation is that all involved are consistently responsible and respectful.

Select Weekend Tournaments Throughout the Year
In addition to weekly sessions, it is expected that students will show their learning by participating in some tournaments throughout the school year (most tournaments occur on Saturdays).  The tournament sites are located in the Greater Vancouver area.  Optional preparation time will be made available for those registered in an upcoming tournament.

Student Volunteer Opportunities
Students may also volunteer in a variety of roles at robotics tournaments.  This provides the opportunity to observe more experienced students in action, serving to motivate and inspire Ignite Your Passion members as they think ahead to future grades.

The Schedule

The Great Bots of Fire IYP Program runs one day per week throughout the school year on the following days:

Section A:  Mondays 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Section B:  Tuesdays 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Section C:  Wednesdays 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Section D: Thursdays 3:30 – 5:00 pm

*Please note that there are select weekend tournaments occurring throughout the school year (usually on Saturdays).

Location:  West Vancouver Secondary School

Start Date: The week of September 18, 2025
End Date: The week of June 18, 2026

The Fees

The fee for the IYP Great Bots of Fire program is $175 per month x 10 months (September to June) for a total of $1750 per year.

Students NEW to GBOF this upcoming year will also be required to pay for a VEX IQ Competition Kit which is $950.  This kit will be used for the duration of the GBOF program (Grades 7 and 8).  If a student is new to the program but already has a VEX IQ Competition Kit, the Robot Kit fee does not apply.  Additional robot kit pieces will be available for students to SIGN-OUT as part of the program fee.

TeacherLocationCostPlease fill out form
Shonn Kirkland & Ben HunterWest Vancouver Secondary School$1750 per year ($175 monthly) plus the VEX IQ Kit if new to programApply Here

Registration & Process for Selection

Students interested in this program complete & submit the Student Information Form including the student’s write up of why they are a good candidate for this program.. (Incomplete applications will not be considered).

Application submissions are reviewed by the team of IYP staff and administration.  Final selections are communicated to parents through the Academy Office.  As well, parents will be informed of the section (day/time) that their student is in.

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Out of catchment and out of district admissions opens 8am January 15, 2025Info