ISA Hamilton is thrilled to announce the co-sponsorship, with McMaster University, of a team of four undergraduate students to participate at the 2016 ISA Instrumentation Games at the South Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). The Games, organized by the ISA-SAIT Student Section, bring together Instrumentation Engineering Technology students from several North American colleges and universities. It is an excellent opportunity for students to collaborate, network with industry professionals, and be challenged by situations that are not typically explored in the lab environment at school.
This year, the 4th of the Games, is the first time a team from McMaster is participating. Four students from the Process Automation Technology Program of the McMaster-Mohawk Bachelor of Technology Partnership, two from the 2nd year and two from the 4th year of studies, will visit Calgary, along with a faculty member, from March 10 to March 13. There, they will meet similar delegations from SAIT Polytechnic, NAIT Polytechnic, University of Alberta, BC Institute of Technology, SASK Polytechnic, Red River College, Lambton College, Bellingham Technology College, and Francis Tuttle Technology Centre. Over the two days of challenges, students will be placed in teams with students from schools other than their own and compete in four tasks: Cascade Loop Tuning, Multi-Instrument Calibration, Delta V Fieldbus Commisioning, and “MacGuyver 101” 
(creating an AC/DC rectifier from given electronic components and then use it to calibrate a digital valve positioner). As showcased by the teams’ formation, the event is not a competition, but, rather, a community-building occasion. Students will collaborate and problem-solve with peers they have never met before, ask industry professionals, sponsors and instructors from all schools for advice, and have fun solving intriguing challenges.
ISA Hamilton is very pleased to have facilitated McMaster’s participation to this year’s Games through raising awareness for the event and offering financial support. We are confident that this is will be an extra-curricular activity that students will cherish for years to come. Canaan, Michael, Jordan, and Simran have a nice trip, good luck in your challenges, and make sure you make lots of connections; they are valuable! We look forward to hearing of your perspective upon your return.