HAWAI‘I ROBOTICS TEAMS TAKE THE LEAD IN FIRST DAY OF REGIONAL COMPETITION
4th Annual FIRST in Hawaii Regional Robotics Competition
March 24-26, 2011
University of Hawaii at Manoa's Stan Sheriff Center
FREE and open to the public!
Check out the schedule and plan to bring your family to this fun-filled, energetic competition!
Is your alma mater competing? Come cheer on Farrington, McKinley, Pearl City, Waialua, Waianae... and so many more!
HONOLULU – After the first day of the 2011 FIRST in Hawai‘i Regional Robotics Competition sponsored by BAE Systems, which got underway today at the Stan Sheriff Center, the top 15:
- Waialua High School
- McKinley High School
- Punahou School
- Waiakea High School
- Baldwin High School
- Kapolei High School
- Pearl City High School
- Moanalua High School
- Sacred Hearts Academy
- Farrington High School
- Waianae High School
- Kalaheo High School
- King Kekaulike High School
- West Hawaii Explorations Academy
- Mililani High School
Also during today’s competition, awards were handed out to:
- Maui High School: Excellence in Design Award - Sponsored by Autodesk
- Greater Syndey High Schools, Sydney, Australia: Imagery Award in Honor of Jack Kamen
- Waiakea High School: Innovation in Control Award - Sponsored by Rockwell Automation
- Baldwin High School: Creativity Award - Sponsored by Xerox
- McKinley High School: Engineering Excellence Award - Sponsored by Delphi
- Kalani High School: Entrepreneurship Award - Sponsored by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
- Pearl City High School: Rookie Inspiration Award
- Waialua High School: Website Award
- McKinley High School: Woodie Flowers Award for outstanding mentor, Ms. Elaine Owens
More than 1,000 students representing 33 public, private and charter schools from across the state, as well as Australia, are participating in the third annual Hawai‘i regional robotics competition, which tests students’ knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Top-performing teams will move on to the 2011 FIRST Robotics Championship at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri, April 27-30.
In this year’s challenge named “LOGO MOTION”, two alliances of three teams compete on a 27-by-54-foot field with poles, and earn points by hanging as many triangle, circle and square logo pieces as possible. Bonus points are earned for each robot that can hang and assemble logo pieces to form the FIRST logo. Robots can also deploy Mini-Bots to climb vertical poles for a chance to earn additional points.
The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common engineering problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard “kit of parts” and a common set of rules. The competition allows students to apply academic knowledge and innovation, while developing teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking skills that will better prepare them to continue their education and enter the workforce.
The competition wraps up tomorrow, with qualifying rounds starting at 9:00 a.m., followed by final rounds beginning at 1:30 p.m. An awards ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
A schedule of the 2011 FIRST in Hawai‘i Regional Competition, list of participating teams, challenge overview and volunteer information are available at www.hawaiiroc.org.
About Robotics Education in Hawai‘i
FIRST Robotics is one of six programs which are supported by the Hawai‘i Robotics Organizing Committee (ROC), including FIRST, FIRST LEGO League, Underwater ROV, Botball, VEX Robotics and Micro Robotics.
Recognizing the importance of promoting robotics education at an early age and sustaining students’ interest in STEM education throughout their schooling, Hawai‘i’s six robotics programs joined together to form the Hawai‘i Robotics Organizing Committee (ROC). The six of the robotics programs are coordinating efforts to promote robotics education in elementary, middle and high schools statewide.
To learn more about robotics education in Hawai‘i, visit the Hawai‘i Robotics Organizing Committee website at: www.hawaiiroc.org.
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