Kahakai Elementary School Kino Silver Robotics team members await for their robot to return from a successful mission so they can reconfigure it and send it back out again during the first round of the 7th Annual Hawaii First Lego League Championship at the Neal Blaisdell Arean on Saturday. (Hawaii 24/7 photo special by Brad Ballesteros)

MEDIA RELEASE

The 7th Annual Hawaii First Lego League (FLL) Championship brought together 56 teams from across the state to learn and share in the fun. The contest was Dec. 3 on Oahu.

Teams competed in four areas that address many facets of science, technology, engineering and math. This year’s theme, Food Factor, has teams working to find a safe way to handle food in the project area.

Secondly, teams work to develop a cohesive spirited team that practice the FLL core values.

Thirdly, teams design and program an autonomous LEGO NXT robot that is mechanically sound and efficiently programmed.

Lastly, the robot competes in 2.5 minute matches to complete missions and earn points.

First Lego League began in Hawaii with a local tournament for six teams on Oahu in 2003.

Today, Hawaii FLL, the FLL Operational Partner, services almost 200 FLL teams spread out over the eight islands in the state and is open to students between the ages of 9 – 14.

During the month of November, the group coordinates district qualifier tournaments on all the major islands (Hawaii Island, Kauai, Maui and Oahu).

Many teams from the district qualifier tournaments advance to the state championship that is held in December in Honolulu on the island of Oahu.

Hawaii First Lego League is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization facilitated by volunteers who encourage young learners to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Holualoa Elementary School Robotics Team, Thunderbots, do a practice session before the robot matches at the 7th Annual Hawaii First Lego League Championship at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena on Dec. 3. The team placed 20th out of 56 teams in the robot challenge portion. (Hawaii 24/7 photo special by Brad Ballesteros)

2011 Awards

* Champion’s Award – 3863 – Punabots – Independent

* Champion’s First Alternate Award – 3345 – Iolani Neohawks – Iolani School

Mechanical Design

* First Place – 5206 – RAMBOTS-SPOX – Emmanuel Lutheran

* Second Place – 7467 – Iolani iBots – Iolani School

Programming

* First Place – 4274 – Goolan2 – Hawaii Technology Academy

* Second Place – 4014 – Super Bees – E.B. de Silva Elementary

A Kahakai Kino Blue Team member watches nervously as the team robot is sent off on a mission during the second round of the 7th Annual Hawaii First Lego League Championship on Saturday at the Neal Blaisdell Arena. (Hawaii 24/7 photo special by Brad Ballesteros)

Strategy & Innovation

* First Place – 2516 – BotBot Raiders – Iolani School

* Second Place – 4084 – Robo-Builders – King Kaumualii Elementary

Inspiration

* First Place – 4069 – Pauoa Robotics Ohana – Pauoa Elementary

* Second Place – 370 – Green Geckos – Noelani Elementary

Teamwork

* First Place – 10615 – Molokai Blizzards Boyz – Molokai Intermediate

* Second Place – 1876 – C.S.I. – Holomua Elementary

Kohala Middle School's Halaua Hawks team member is relieved as the team robot accomplished its task and returned to its original position. (Hawaii 24/7 photo special by Brad Ballesteros)

Gracious Professionalism

* First Place – 4311 – Oompah Loompahs – Molokai Intermediate

* Second Place – 4008 – Highlands IS Team 1 – Highlands Intermediate

Research

* First Place – 2669 – Iolani Zoom Team – Iolani School

* Second Place – 7445 – Mechanical Menehune – Kamehameha Middle – Maui

Innovative Solution

* First Place – 7176 – Contrabanabages – Maunawili Elementary

* Second Place – 4067 – Aina Haina Jagbots – Aina Haina Elementary

Teams from 56 schools statewide design, build & program robots made from a Lego kit to do specific functions during competition. This is Kahakai Elementary School's Kino Blue entry during the first round of the robot competition. (Hawaii 24/7 photo special by Brad Ballesteros)

Presentation

* First Place – 1039 – Upcountry Crushers – Independent

* Second Place – 8619 – International Buffet – Independent

Robot Performance

* First Place – 2812 – Techno Laulau – Hawaii Technology Academy

* Second Place – 4274 – Goolan2 – Hawaii Technology Academy

— Find out more:
www.hawaiifll.org

Holualoa Elementary School fourth graders, and Thunderbots Robotic Team members, use body English to cox the team's robot on its mission. (Hawaii 24/7 photo special by Brad Ballesteros)

Kahakai Elementary School Kino Blue Team followed by Kahakai's Kino Silver Team march walk around the Neal Blaisdell Arena during the opening ceremonies Saturday at the 7th Annual Hawaii First Lego League Championship. (Hawaii 24/7 photo special by Brad Ballesteros)