UNDERWATER ROBOTICS CHALLENGES STUDENT COMPETITORS 

WHAT: Big Island Regional ROV Underwater Robotics Competition

Dozens of Hawaii elementary, middle and high school students will take their robotic creations to the next level this weekend, by fully submerging them underwater.

Working in the complex world of submerged electronics, students and their mentors have created remotely operating vehicles (ROVs) which are driven from a control system above the water's surface. In the underwater obstacle course, students must use their robot to complete complicated tasks, called missions.  This year's competition theme centers on the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill and how ROV's played a vital role in correcting the problem.  Students also prepare a technical document and poster displays. 

WHO: 12 teams of student competitors representing:

Ranger Class

• Earl's Garage
• Hilo Intermediate School
• Hilo/Waiakea Alliance (Hawaii 808 Ninjas)
• Haili Christian School
• Ke Kula o Nawahiokalaniopuu
• Kealakehe High School
• Kealakehe Intermediate School
• Waimea High School

Scout Class

• E.B. de Silva Elementary School (2 teams)
• Earl's Garage
• Mt. View Elementary School

WHEN: Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• 9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony
• 10:00 a.m. Team Missions
• 11:00 a.m. Lunch
• 12:00 p.m. Team Missions resume
• 2:00 p.m. Closing Ceremony and Awards

WHERE: Hilo High School Pool

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:  

The competition will be hosted on a live web stream for viewing.  The stream can be accessed from www.hawaiiroc.org and www.robotics.NASA.gov.

The Hawaii Underwater Robotic Challenge (HURC) is scheduled for April 30, 2011 to be held at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. HURC is the second underwater ROV competition for Hawaii's teams.  

About Robotics Education in Hawaii

Underwater ROV 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.hawaiiiroc.org. 

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