Waiakea Intermediate School students cheer as their robot scores a game winning point. (Photo courtesy of Robotics Organizing Committee)

MEDIA RELEASE

Culminating an exciting three days of competition at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., Hawaii’s VEX Robotics students Saturday earned the respect and recognition of 570 global robotics teams from 14 nations.

After nearly 2,000 qualifying matches in four competition divisions, Hawaii was favored among the top seeded teams, including Kohala High School as No. 1 seed and Kalani High School as No. 9 seed in the Engineering Division, among more than 120 teams; Iolani School as No. 2 seed and Mililani High School as No. 7 seed in the Math Division among more than 120 teams.

In heart-stopping non-stop action, each of the four Hawaii teams competed with precision in the quarter final matches, but ultimately fell points short of playing in the semi-finals.

The VEX Robotics World Championship is an annual gathering of top robotics teams from around the world. For two days at Walt Disney World the teams have performed admirably, celebrated their accomplishments, competed with/against the “best of the best” in VEX Robotics, and were tremendous ambassadors of Hawaii.

The 31 Hawaii teams learned much from their global peers and with that experience, should be back next season.

In total, 31 Hawaii teams from 23 schools represented the Aloha State, including:

* Farrington High School (2 teams)
* Hawaii Baptist Academy (2 teams)
* Highlands Intermediate School
* Honokaa High School
* Iao Middle School
* Iolani School (2 teams)
* Island School
* Kaiser High School
* Kalani High School
* Kealakehe High School
* Kohala High School
* Maui Waena Intermediate School
* Mililani High School (3 teams)
* Mid-Pacific Academy
* Moanalua High School
* Nanakuli High School
* Paauilo Intermediate School
* Punahou School
* Radford High School
* Roosevelt High School
* Waiakea Intermediate School (2 teams)
* Waiakea High School (2 teams)
* Waialua High & Intermediate School (2 teams)

Upcoming Robotics Events

April 27-30: Six Hawaii robotics teams will compete in the varsity level robotics program, FIRST Robotics Competition, at the FIRST Championships in St. Louis, Mo. Kealakehe High, McKinley High, Sacred Hearts Academy, Waiakea High, Waialua High and Waianae High will showcase their skills among the fierce global competition.

May 9: Middle and high school robotics teams from across the state will compete at the Hawaii Convention Center in the Botball Hawaii Regional Tournament.

About Robotics Education in Hawaii

VEX Robotics is one of six programs which are supported by the Hawaii 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, Hawaii’s six robotics programs joined together to form the Hawaii 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, visit the Hawaii Robotics Organizing Committee website at: www.hawaiiiroc.org