Hawaii High School Wins Prestigious Award at World Robotics Championship

Kalani High School recognized for outstanding outreach into the community

HONOLULU - After an exciting three days of competition, the 2012 FIRST Championship robotics competition ended today with Kalani High School receiving the Making FIRST Accessible Award. The Kalani Falcon's outreach into the community and ability to introduce robotics to new people of all ages, were a few of the reasons they received the award. Total, seven Hawaii High Schools competed in the event in St. Louis, from April 25-28. Waialua High and Intermediate, Kealakehe High School, Island Pacific Academy, Punahou School, Baldwin High School, Kalani High School, and Kohala High School competed at the Edward Jones Dome.

All of the teams competed well in their division, and Waialua High School made it to the semifinals of the Archimedes division, representing Hawaii well. Waialua has won the FIRST Hawaii Regional two years in a row, and was awarded the 2011 Championships Chairman's award last April.

"The interest in STEM education that this program instills is not only important for preparing these student for their future careers, it is important for Hawaii, as they are future leaders of our state. Hawaii has a bright future ahead with these students at the helm," said Corrie Heck, Hawaii ROC Coordinator. "To say the least, Hawaii can be proud with how these students represented our state."

The teams will be flying back to Hawaii tomorrow, and preparing for the next robotics competition at the Hawaii Botball Tournament on May 12 at the Hawaii Convention Center.

For more information, visit: usfirst.org and hawaiiroc.org.

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April 27, 2012: The 2012 FIRST Championships in St. Louis, Missouri, is underway. Hawaii has seven teams represented at the competition: Waialua High School, Kalani High School, Island Pacific Academy, Punahou School, Baldwin High School, Kealakehe High School, and Kohala High School.

Today marks the first day of actual competition at the Championships. All seven Hawaii teams competing at a high level. Four of the seven just won matches on four separate fields. See attached photos of some of the teams at the Championships. You can tune in live at http://robotics.arc.nasa.gov/events/2012_frcwebcasts.php#webcasts

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Seven Hawaii High Schools Compete in World Championship of Robotics

Teams from around the world meet in St. Louis, Missouri

HONOLULU April 25, 2012 – Seven Hawaii high school teams, and one independent elementary school team, are competing in the 2012 FIRST Championship robotics competition at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, MO. The FIRST Championship April 25-28 is the culmination of the season's FIRST programs, bringing together three separate robotics competitions for the ultimate 'Sport for the Mind.' The event includes the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship, the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship, and the FIRST LEGO League World Festival. Also featured is the Junior FIRSTLEGO League World Festival Expo.

The following Hawaii teams are competing:

• Waialua High and Intermediate
• Kealakehe High School
• Island Pacific Academy
• Punahou School
• Baldwin High School
• Kalani High School
• Kohala High School

The first two days of competition, students participated in the FIRST Conference which hosted dozens of presentations from experienced FIRST team members, college and university representatives, and professionals covering a wide variety of topics in science, technology, engineering, and robotics fields. Tomorrow, teams begin the actual competition on the arena floor.

For more information, visit: usfirst.org or hawaiiroc.org.