By Hawaiian Electric
Nineteen (19) robotics teams from across Hawaiʻi achieved significant scores and demonstrated exceptional skill and performance at the Hawaiian Electric Companies Hawaiʻi State VEX Championships held Jan. 13-14 at Kamehameha Schools. The teams now have their shot for a win at the VEX World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky this April.
In the middle and high school competition, Team 359A from Waialua High & Intermediate, Team 394A from Highlands Intermediate and Team 1973B from Mililani High were named the Tournament Champions. Team 394B from Highlands Intermediate and Team 359X from Waialua High & Intermediate each earned Excellence Awards in their grade categories. All five teams are now qualified to compete at the VEX Worlds.
In the middle school competition, the all-girl Team 2437B from Sacred Hearts Academy and Team 434M from Molokaʻi Middle School earned the Teamwork Champion Award with second place honors going to Molokaʻi Middle School Team 434K and Sacred Hearts Academy Team 2437A, which also earned the Robot Skills Champion Award and Design Award.
The middle school Excellence Award was won by Team 11173C Cornerstone Engineering Robotics of Mililani. Saint Louis School Team 4270A won the STEM Research Project Award. All six teams will advance to the VEX Worlds.
In the elementary school competition, Team 1037C from Kualapuʻu School and Team 10142A of Mānoa Elementary were named the Teamwork Champions, with second place honors going to Huakailani School for Girls Team 146H and Hawaii Technology Academy Team 1234B, which also earned the Amaze Award.
The elementary school Excellence Award was won by Mānoa Elementary Team 10142Y, Sacred Hearts Academy Team 2436B won the Robot Skills Champion Award, while Mānoa Elementary Team 10142Z took the STEM Research Project Award.
In only their second year of competition, Ewa Beach Elementary School Team 96706A won the Design Award, which qualifies the team for a place at the VEX Worlds.
For details on all the awards given at the three events, visit robotevents.com.
HAWAII STATE VEX CHAMPIONS
Highlands Intermediate
Waialua High & Intermediate
Mililani High School
Photo credit Randal Lau
(Left) to right: Hawaiian Electric’s Colton Ching with the Tournament Champions at the Hawaiian Electric Companies Hawaii State VEX Championships (middle/high school competition): Highlands Intermediate (Team 394A in blue), Waialua High & Intermediate (Team 359A in red) and Mililani High (Team 1973B in yellow).
HAWAII STATE VEX CHAMPIONSHIPS
EXCELLENCE AWARD – MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGHLANDS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Photo credit Randal Lau
Highlands Intermediate Team 394B earned the Excellence Award-Middle School at the Hawaiian Electric Companies Hawaii State VEX Championships held Jan. 13. The Excellence Award is the highest award presented in the VEX Robotics Competition, given to a team that exemplifies overall excellence in building a high quality VEX robotics program. The distinction qualifies the team to participate in the VEX World Championships.