I was a teacher on team 1310, the Ravens, from Runnymede Collegiate Institute in 2010. The school is a small school in the Toronto District School Board located at Jane and Dundas.
It has often garnered a checkered reputation as it is located on Jane St, which is home to one of Toronto's most notorious neighbourhoods,
Jane and Finch. However, most people don't realize that Jane St is rather long, and the school itself is a 20 minute car ride away from Jane and Finch. Furthermore, the school is actually beside
Bloor West Village, which ironically, is one of the nicest areas in Toronto.
The school has under 500 students, but had over 70 paying student members on the robotics team. An unbelievable participation rate.
They consistently bring out one of the largest and loudest student contingents at our Canadian Regionals.
On top of that they build pretty good robots too! They are perennial alliance captain/1st pick regional finalists, which in a region with 1114, 2056, 188, 1503, etc... is a pretty braggable accomplishment.
I've had a chance to see a lot of teams in FIRST, and hands-down 1310 produces some of the most intense and dedicated students (and teachers/mentors!) in FIRST I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. They do so much, with relatively little, never complain, and simply squeeze the most from everything they produce with little more than a healthy dose of willpower and determination.
Robotics is a complete culture there, it defines who people are beyond simply building robots. There is no doubt the fact that it is a small school had lots to do with this. It amplified how much of an effect a small group of students and teachers back in 2004 were able to exert on the entire school community. I think the students there feel more empowered there than a school of 1500+.
Along with team 188, they are one of FIRST Robotics Canada's key support teams for the Toronto District School Board, with 188 supporting the East side of the city, and 1310 providing support on the West.
Unfortunately, the team doesn't travel beyond their local regionals (yet?), but if you ever have a chance to meet them, be sure to drop by and say hello