Lethbridge youngsters build the ultimate little terminator

LETHBRIDGE – When you think of “the terminator,” you wouldn’t picture a little robot on four small wheels.

His name is Snag 2.0 and his 12-year-old creator Thomas Lefebvre built him to do some interesting tricks. From crawling up hills to picking up items off the ground, there’s no task too difficult for the tiny android.

“After school I’ll just stay at school, don’t need to take the bus and I’m just in the class working on the robot,” Lefebvre said.

He along with other Grade 6 and 7 students from Gilbert Paterson Middle School started their own robotics club, the Tiger Terminators. Snag is the first robot the youngsters have ever built.

“I’ve always had an interest in stuff like robotics,” 12-year-old Devlan Sheppard, the team’s marketing captain, said. “For marketing we really had to press on getting sponsors, so we could get our pit design, our T-shirts and our gear.”

The group recently competed in the First Tech Challenge Canadian Championship in Edmonton. They were only one of three middle schools that attended, with the other 14 teams consisting of high school students.

“These groups are very special, because although they are middle schools they are competing with high school level students,” parent volunteer, Olivier Lefebvre, said.

However, the team powered through, finishing fifth place overall, and winning the ‘Think Award’ for how well they documented their robot’s design.

“I’m definitely happy we took it on, I think the first year went really smooth,” explained Sheppard.

“We’re very proud for our first year because this is our rookie year,” added young Lefebvre.

This Saturday the team is joining other schools from around Lethbridge to present their masterpiece at the city’s robotics showcase. The event takes place at Agnes Davidson school from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Tigers said it is a way for them to inspire others to dream up their own terminators.