MONTREAL - It's not every day that student-built robots inspire Montreal students to cheer and scream in an unbridled expression of school spirit.

In fact, it only happens once a year.

The 10th annual CRC Robotics contest wrapped up Saturday after a three-day session at Lester B. Pearson High School in which 500 local-area high school and Cegep students put their contraptions into battle for robotic supremacy.

Seventeen schools entered, with each team varying in size from 10 to 60 students.

Parents and teachers of the students were only allowed to offer advice. So when the remote-controlled gizmos rolled around, they were entirely student-built.

"The kids are in control, they get to design it, build it, it's all them," said Peter Szilagyi, contest organizer.

Sean Fielding of Lower Canada College was among many who appreciated the contest.

"I find it just a great way to learn engineering. The atmosphere is great, there's rock music, everyone is so friendly. It's a great experience," he said.

The contest organizers stress that winning isn't the most important part of the event.

"As long as a school gets to the competition with a working robot, they've won," said the organizers in a press release.

In the end, top honours were split between the students from Bois de Boulogne and Marianopolis.