More Than 30 Hawaiʻi VEX® Robotics Teams Qualify for World Event

HONOLULU (March 29, 2022) – Sponsored by Hawaiian Electric, the Hawaiʻi VEX Robotics State Championships held in February and March qualified 32 out of 77 Hawaiʻi VEX robotics teams to advance to the 2022 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, May 3-12.

Hawaiʻi elementary, middle, and high school robotics teams will showcase their game strategy, design, and teamwork skills for an opportunity to be crowned champions at the world-class global event. For the first time since the pandemic, the event will be held in person with a live spectator audience. Portions of the event will be done digitally and remotely.

Advancing from Oʻahu are Hāleʻiwa Elementary School (2 teams), Highlands Intermediate School (2 teams), Island Robotics from Waipahu (2 teams), Kaʻōhao Public Charter School (2 teams), Kapolei Middle School (2 teams), Mānoa Elementary School (4 teams), Mililani Mauka Elementary School, Mililani Mechs Robotics, Musubi Robotics (Waiʻanae), Nānākuli Intermediate School, Pearl City High School (3 teams), Sacred Hearts Academy, Saint Louis School (3 teams), Waialua High & Intermediate School (3 teams), and Waiʻanae Intermediate School.

A team from Waiakea Intermediate School on Hawaiʻi Island and two teams from Pukalani STEM Imagineers Robotics in Kula, Maui also qualified to participate in the VEX Worlds.

For a complete list of team standings at the Hawaiʻi VEX Robotics State Championships, visit:

 

At the state championships, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools – Kapālama, Saint Louis School (left), the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Gayle Kamei and Jon Kitagawa of Waiakea Intermediate School, Matt Eftink of St. Joseph High School, and Master Chief Richard Enright of Nānākuli High & Intermediate School (right) were named “Partners of the Year” for their long-standing support and partnership with Hawaiʻi VEX Robotics.

Teacher of the Year honor was awarded to Joan Okai of Highlands Intermediate School. Okai, who retired in December 2021, continues to mentor the Highlands robotics team.

What is VEX Robotics?

VEX Robotics is an educational robotics program that inspires students to excel in STEM principles while encouraging creativity, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving among groups. Robotics competitions foster these skills and prepare students to become future innovators as well as increase their interest in pursuing STEM careers. Tournaments are held year-round at the regional, state, and national levels, and culminate in the VEX Robotics World Championship. There are approximately 20,000 teams from 45 countries participating in VEX tournaments.

To watch the state championship recordings, visit:

 

Note to media: Team photos from the three Hawaiʻi VEX Robotics State Championships are available. Please email afung@higp.hawaii.edu for the Google Drive link

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