From Maker Space to World Stage: A Blyth Academy Student’s Journey to the VEX World Championship

At Blyth Academy Ottawa, learning extends far beyond the classroom. In our campus maker space, students are given the time and freedom to explore what interests them and turn their ideas into something real. Through hands-on STEAM experiences, they build confidence as they test, adjust, and try again. As part of the Globeducate network, this kind of learning helps students develop the skills they will carry with them into the future. This year, that environment helped one robotics student, Zixiao (Tom) Qiu, take his work from a school project all the way to the world stage. 

After helping design and build the campus’ Bluey Getting There robot, Tom brought his work into competition, achieving outstanding results at the VEX 16620B Ontario Provincial Skills competition. He earned second place overall, with scores of 108 in Driver Skills and 115 in Autonomous Skills, qualifying for the VEX World Championship in Cleveland, Ohio. There, he placed 6th in his division, competing against teams from around the world. 

Building a Robot with Purpose 

Each year, students design their robots around a specific challenge. This year’s game required both strategy and precision, pushing students to think carefully about how their robot would perform in different situations. 

As Tom explains: 

“Every year, the robots are designed and built according to the competition's objectives to maximize their performance. This year, the game was called Push Back, where teams need to place blocks into the goal to score points while trying to prevent the opponent from scoring.” 

Having access to the maker space meant he could continually refine his ideas, improving both the design and the performance of the robot over time.  

A Passion That Started Early 

Tom’s interest in robotics did not begin in high school. It started much earlier and continued to grow with the right opportunities. 

“I first encountered simple STEAM projects in kindergarten, where I found building my own robots very interesting, and that sparked my interest in the field.” 

At Blyth, that early interest was supported in a way that allowed it to develop into something much more advanced and meaningful. 

A Season of Growth and Achievement 

This year marked an important step forward. Through regional competitions and provincials, Tom steadily built both his skills and confidence. 

“This year, besides the World Championships, I participated in a total of three competitions, including two regional competitions and one provincial championship. In the two regional competitions, I won both the skills challenge and the tournament champion. In the provincial championship, I won the skills challenge title.” 

He also set a clear goal for himself at the beginning of the year and stayed focused on reaching it. 

“This year, my clear goal was to qualify for the World Championships. I learned from each regional competition and ultimately earned a spot in the World Championships.” 

Stepping Onto the World Stage 

Competing at VEX Worlds brought a completely new perspective. It was not just about performance, but also about exposure to a global community of students who share similar interests. 

“That was a completely different experience, entirely different from regional competitions. You could feel a great deal of diversity, and interacting with teams from different countries was very unique.” 

Experiences like this help students grow in confidence and broaden their understanding of what is possible. 

Learning to Focus 

One of the most meaningful takeaways from this year came from a change in how Tom approached his work. 

“This year, a significant improvement came from my decision to focus on a specific area and do my best in it. In previous years, I would usually try to work on everything, but I often failed to master any of them.” 

That ability to reflect and adjust is an important skill that will serve him well beyond robotics. 

Looking Ahead 

As Tom prepares for the next stage of his academic journey, he is already thinking about how robotics will continue to play a role. 

“The biggest difference between the university and high school groups is that the university group allows for greater freedom (e.g., standardized parts are no longer required), and teams are no longer subject to many restrictions, allowing for more diverse experimentation.” 

Giving Back to the Blyth Community 

Tom is also looking forward to sharing his experience with other students. By mentoring younger peers and supporting future teams, he is helping to build a strong foundation for robotics at Blyth. 

“I believe continuing with the robotics team is necessary and beneficial because it not only helps students participate in competitions but also enhances their STEAM skills and teamwork abilities. Next year’s competition will be more challenging than this year's, requiring higher levels of mechanical skill and team communication.” 

His long-term goal reflects both his passion and his commitment to helping others succeed. 

“Overall, the purpose of the job is to guide and train the robotics team and accompany them during competitions. Because I love this project, I hope to share it with more people.” 

Advice for Other Students   

For students who may be thinking about trying robotics or exploring STEAM, his advice is simple and honest: 

“Interest is always the most important thing. Find what you love and stick with it.” 

A Real Example of Future-Ready Learning    

When students are supported, challenged, and given the space to explore their interests, they can achieve more than they imagined. From the maker space to the world stage, Tom’s journey reflects what is possible when learning is hands-on, engaging, and connected to the real world. 

To learn more about Blyth Academy Ottawa, visit the campus page.