Our collaborators at RoboNation are holding their first in-person Robo Sub competition in several years! RoboNation hosts several international robotics competitions, in which students grow their love for robotics and bulid real-world skills they’ll need in the workforce, and in life. They engage over 250,000 students each year!
In 2018, HI FusionED partnered with RoboNation to help host the international Maritime RobotX Challenge on Sand Island! In addition to the rigorous autonomous maritime vehicle competition for university-level teams from across the world, there was also a hands-on science and engineering fair for Hawaii’s K-12 students. Students were able to drive tethered underwater robots, learn to tie maritime knots from the Polynesian Voyaging Society, play with 3D printers, explore NOAA science centers, and more! They also got to talk story with the RobotX competition teams and see the competitors in action!
Congratulations to all the participants at the 11th annual Hawaii Robofest Regional event! This year, the Regional was held at the Pearl City High School Cafeteria. Special thanks to the Pearl City High School Robotics Club members and advisor, Mr. Hai Nguyen, for helping us during set up and breakdown and for the great robotics demo and Q&A during break. Additional shout out to Vice Principal Gary Kanamori (also, Head Referee) for his assistance at the event…and, especially for facilitating our programming workshop in February!
Of course, there would be no program without Prof. CJ Chung and Robofest staff at Lawrence Technological University, as well as our Hawaii Sponsors and Community Partners. MAHALO for your generous and continued support!!!
Community Partners: Waikele Elementary School, Highlands Intermediate School, Flo’s Min Florist, Inc.
Mahalo to all our volunteers, coaches, parents, teachers and school administrators for your hard work in supporting Hawaii Robofest students throughout the year!
2018 HAWAII REGIONAL QUALIFIERS RESULTS:
ROBOPARADE (Non-competitive)
1st People’s Choice Award – Nanakuli Elementary Team 1931-4 “Team 3”
2nd People’s Choice Award – Palisades Elementary Team 1960-3 “Palibots 3”
Open Category: BOTTLE SUMOBOT
1st Place (Single Elimination) – Highlands Intermediate Team 2545-2 “HIS Purple”
Runner Up (Single Elimination) – Kanoelani Elementary Team 2424-3 “Robotfighters”
Main Category: GAME – AtBC
1st Place – Highlands Intermediate Team 2545-3 “HIS Purple”
2nd Place – Kapolei Middle, Team 1945-1 KMS Tech Hui
3rd Place – Highlands Intermediate Team 2545-4 “HIS Gray”
4th Place – Kanoelani Elementary Team 2424-2 “Robo Tennis”
Main Category: EXHIBITION
1st Place: Manana Elementary Team 784-1 “Pena Removers”
2nd Place – Kanoelani Elementary Team 1945-1 “Robotic Scorpions”
3rd Place – Kapolei Middle Team 1945-1 “KMS TechHui”
People’s Choice Award – Manana Elementary Team 784-1 “Pena Removers”
For more information, please contact us at info[at]hifusioned.org or call 808.988.1931. Visit our local Hawaii Robofest website or the national Robofest website for more information.
The 9th annual Hawaii Robofest Regional Qualifying Competition was held on Saturday, April 11th, at Pearl City High School. The Hawaii Regional is part of an international network of Robofest sites hosting scholastic robotic events in eight different countries and in eleven states across the nation. For the past several years, Hawaii has represented the largest regional event among all Robofest sites. This year, there were 56 teams from 17 different elementary and middle schools registered.
Kudos to all our sponsors, community partners, volunteers, parents and schools who were responsible for giving these students an opportunity to make learning fun!
Coach Comments:
“Hawaii Robofest gives students inspiration to work on STEM (i.e., science, technology, engineering, mathematics) projects…With the criteria set forth in Robofest, the students must learn teamwork, communication, perseverance and dedication to meet an end goal…It is an invaluable experience.”
“It’s a valuable enrichment to all schools if it was offered as a course or taught in the curriculum in addressing the (Next Generation Science Standards) for science and technology in schools.”
“Robofest is definitely an asset at our school as it allows students (the) enrichment (that) may not be so prevalent in the classroom…In the four years we have participated in Robofest, the students have developed life-long learning skills…such as teamwork, problem solving, communication and critical thinking. Thank you…for all you do in bringing Robofest to our schools!”
(2015 O‘ahu) “Probably the most fun (and huge learnings) I’ve had in any workshop!” (Post-activity survey quote)
In June, HI FusionEd launched EcoVentures Hawai‘i – a pilot “Ride & Learn” professional development (PD) program for educators. The pilot (funded, in part, by the Hawai‘i State Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Center grant), HI FusionED and partner, Earthworks, used the abundant resources on the island of O‘ahu as an “outdoor classroom.” Over the course of two very full days and with on-board professional development training by Cindie Ogata, MEd, the group visited various locations around the island, meeting ecology experts and sustainability practitioners, ending with a focused Design Thinking action planning session.
Tours for corporate groups exploring “Green Economy” strategies are also in development. For more information, please contact us via email at ecoventureshawaii@gmail.com.
MAHALO! to:
Keawawa Wetlands and Hawea Heiau staff
Kevin Vacarello and Malia Smith from Sustain Hawai‘i (‘Ai Love Nalo Cafe and Palaka Moon Farm)
Monique and Jenny from Naked Cow Dairy Farm
Fred Lau and Bradley “Kai” Fox from Mari’s Gardens
Chef Chris Okuhara and staff from Miso & Ale
Complex Area Superintendent, Ruth Silberstein
21CCLC Project Director, Pamela Kohara
DT Practitioner and Consultant, Kapono Ciotti
“Sustainability! Our actions can change the world!” (Anonymous teacher quote from post-activity survey)PALAKA MOON FARMCALVES AT THE NAKED COW DAIRY & CREAMERYMARI’S GARDENSONO VEGAN FARE FROM ‘AI LOVE NALO CAFEKEIKI LEARNING OPPSLOCALLY SOURCED, ORGANIC LUNCH FROM MISO & ALETOOLS FOR EDUCATORSPROJECT-BASED LEARNING
A big “Congratulations!” to the USS Missouri’s Education Team on hosting their 20th on-board robotics challenge!
A little background: In 2009, HI FusionED partnered with the USS Missouri’s Education Team and Community Partner, Dwayne Abuel, to develop an on-board robotics program for students. Not only did program activities reinforce 21st century skills development, it focused on the history of “the Mighty Mo’” through a challenge-based robotics mission, originally designed by Mr. Abuel. USSM educators, Dan Parsons and Neil Yamamoto, have taken the original program framework and have developed it into a rigorous, enriching and engaging learning experience for students.
“This program was a perfect learning activity for our students. We loved the way that the entire activity incorporated math, writing, technology and, especially, team-building skills.” – Hau‘ula Elementary School educator
HI FusionED wishes the USSM on-board robotics program continued success!
The 8th annual Hawai‘i Robofest Regional event was held this year at Leeward Community College on Saturday, April 11th, 2015. There were 179 participating students (grades 4-8) at the event from 16 different schools vying for gaming and project awards…not to mention the over 100 students who participated in intraschool competitions this Spring.
Special thanks to our Sponsors and Community partners for their generous support (see below). In addition, over 100 community volunteers pitched in to help make the event a resounding success!
Last, but not least, KUDOS to all the coaches, parents, teachers and school administrators for their support and to all the hard working students who demonstrated their innovative minds and technical skills. Well done!
2015 RESULTS:
Open Category: BOTTLE SUMOBOT (Single Elimination Matches)
1st Place: Kalihi-Kai Elementary, Team 1825-3 Sumo Tubbiez
1st Runner Up: Ka Waihona PCS, Team 1994-3 Ka Waihona Robotics – Na ‘Elele
Main Category: ROBOBOWL
1st Place: Kanoelani Elementary, Team 1468-1 Robo Warriors
2nd Place: Kapolei Middle, Team 1945-1 KMS Tech Hui
3rd Place: Kanoelani Elementary, Team 1468-2 RoboGeniuses
Judges’ Choice Award: Mililani Ike Elementary, Team 2236-1 Pueo Technotics for their perseverance, adaptation and accuracy
Main Category: EXHIBITION
1st Place: Kaleiopu‘u Elementary, Team 1951-1 KES Warriors Blue
2nd Place: Leihoku Elementary, Team 2282-1 Leihoku Na Pueo
3rd Place: Kalihi-Kai Elementary, Team 1825-2 Bionic Bros
Judges’ Choice Award: Waikele Elementary, Team 2166-2 Bionic Bacteria Bot for their teamwork, clear presentation, research, connection to the Hawai‘i theme, and good use of media
Judges’ Choice Award: Kanoelani Elementary, Team 1468-5 Circuit Breakers for their innovative idea and creative design
MAHALO! to Lawrence Technological University and all our 2015 Sponsors and Community Partners:
For more information, please contact us at info[at]hifusioned.org or call 808.988.1931. Visit our local Hawaii Robofest website or the national Robofest websitefor more information.
