Page 4 - MidWeek Central - April 5, 2023

4 APRIL 5, 2023
Robotics Teams Teach Students To Enhance Problem-solving, Communication
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“It was actually Team Waf- fles that started and coached Team MEAF three years ago due to an increase in student interest. Team MEAF is the younger team but they show tons of potential,” says Han.
Locquiao, Logan Wee, Blake Vasconcellos, Sydnee Rol, Kelli Ann Cabanada, Leilei Petrossian and Zak Campos.
The team’s name comes from the fact that members eat waffles together before each robotics league meet.
In FIRST Robotics, it’s all about collaboration and team- work — this camaraderie is extended even beyond your team.
Han shares that he began the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Tech Chal- lenge Robotics Program at Assets School in 2018 as an extracurricular after-school team in hopes of expanding STEM interest for the student population.
The robotics games are played in a two versus two al- liance format and Team Waf- fles won by collaborating with Team X-bots from Punahou
At the time, there were only 10 students enrolled. Now in 2023, the program has grown to include nearly 40 students in the program with three coaches and mentors: Han, Miles Yamamoto and Emi Hagiwara.
(Above) Assets School principal Nikki Hamai Sakai (far left) and robotics program coach Peter Han (far right) pose with teams Waffles (in red shirts) and MEAF, which stands for Metal Engineering Assets Flamingos (in blue shirts), on the school’s campus. The school’s teams love to eat waffles together before each robotics league meet. (Left) The school’s second team, MEAF, works on a robotics project. (Bottom left) Assets School’s Team Waffles takes part in a competition. PHOTOS COURTESY ASSETS SCHOOL
“We’ve also expanded the Robotics Program now to participate in FLL (FIRST Lego League) for the K-8 school and both FTC and FRC (FIRST Robotics Com- petition) at the high school,” shares Han. “Our program and our team are still really young and new to the robotics community so we still have a lot to learn.”
School, who will be joining them in the world champion- ships.
to collaborate with each oth- er as a team improving their communication skills and problem-solving skills. They are also tasked with raising funds themselves so they actively communicate with adults and learn the business aspects of life.”
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“Being in a robotics team isn’t just about being in STEM,” says Han. “A robot- ics team is almost like a small company. Our students learn
Assets School is also hav- ing a virtual auction for gen- eral tuition assistance that is open to the public. The virtual auction goes live online from 6 p.m. April 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 15.
All money raised in the auc- tion goes to tuition assistance for families who need finan- cial aid. The online auction coincides with the school’s Illumination Gala from 5 to 9 p.m. April 15 at The Pacific Club.
For more information, visit assets-school.org.