Page 4 - MidWeek Windward - June 23, 2021

4 JUNE 23, 2021
Castle High School Robotics Team Places First In International Competition
FROM PAGE 1
across the island who form teams that collaborate on building ROVs, testing its ability to complete the chal- lenges and withstand the un- derwater conditions.
“The students learn to be problem solvers, and that’s something that is needed in any career field.”
SeaPerch is part of the Coast Guard’s Partnership in Education program in which the Coast Guard works with students to increase their sci- ence, technology, engineer- ing and math knowledge.
The aquatic environment, on top of pandemic guide- lines restricting in-person interactions, added another obstacle for Castle’s team: The school didn’t have a pool in which to practice.
This year’s international competition was conduct- ed virtually, which led to some changes. Instead of the usual 15 minutes alloted to complete four tasks during in-person competitions, The ProtoKnights had to deal with a truncated time frame: just two minutes to complete tasks one and two; and two minutes to complete tasks three and four.
“The impact of SeaPerch on our keiki is multifaceted. From an educational per- spective, it provides a hands- on and practical opportunity to take principles learned in the classroom, combine them and develop a func- tional remote operated ve- hicle (ROV). Students build creative and critical thinking skills by assessing challeng- es, developing imaginative solutions, designing and test- ing them,” states Travis Ras- mussen, commanding officer, USCG Base Honolulu.
Team members Ya- mashige, Masumoto and Lane worked together to set up an above-ground pool in the school’s shop in addition to building the course and re- quired game pieces.
“I felt panicked when I found out that the time had changed by so much and to so little,” states Cum- mins. “We put in a lot of time and effort to actually opti- mize our times to get the runs we wanted. Eventually, we were able to get runs that we were satisfied with.”
For this program, students are tasked with building re- mote-powered vehicles that will tackle tasks and chal- lenges underwater. Partic- ipants come from schools
At the regional competi- tion, The ProtoKnights en- tered three teams and earned a spot to compete at the inter- national challenge.
At the international com- petition, The ProtoKnights earned top honors for that pool course and also took fourth place in the Engineer-
bers are looking forward. “We are very excited to jump into a new year, es- pecially since it has a new
“These experiences pro- vide so many challenges which help push the students to develop and improve many skills such as perse- verance, communication and adaptability, as well as learn- ing about and applying many science and engineering concepts,” explains STEAM coordinator for Castle High School, Ryan Saito.
(Above) The ProtoKnights took top honors in the pool course at the international competition — no small feat since the team had to build its own pool so that its members could practice (facing page). PHOTO COURTESY RYAN SAITO
grown so much in the past three years, and that have such good hearts. Win or lose, they were always there for each other. I truly look forward to seeing what they can ac- complish in their future,” Saito asserts.
“We were all waiting to hear the results, and when we heard that we won, we were ecstatic,” recalls Jack Saito.
ing Design events.
As for the team, its mem-
theme, ‘Space,’ Iha states. “It’s been an honor to work with students that have
(808) 763-9298
10% OFF SOLAR PV CLEANING
Expires 6/30/21
w
w
ww
w
w
w
w
w
w.p
p
p
pa
a
a
a
c
c
c
i
i
ifi
fi
fi
fi
c
c
cs
s
s
s
p
p
p
pr
ray
w
a
s
sh
h.c
co
om
DID YOU
BEFORE
AFTER
You can improve energy output by over 10%* with regular cleanings,
KNOW??
compared to panels cleaned only by rainfall.
It’s Time to Beat the Heat!
We do it right the first time
Best Prices Guaranteed With Installation of the Same Equipment
Free Estimates on Split Systems WE SERVICE WHAT WE INSTALL
We also sell Window & Thru the Wall A/C’s & Flush Mount A/C’s
GOD BLESS AMERICA
VETERAN OWNED
LIC# C-19622 & C-31915
HONOLULU LEEWARD KAIMUKI MILILANI WINDWARD 537-1971 676-1455 737-1852 625-5666 262-6163 Call for an Appointment www.aireconditionershoppe.com
T
T
t C
tr
T
T
ll
T
T
T
e
e
e
e
e
e
e
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
m
e
P
l
m
m
m
m
m
m
i
i
i
i
it
es
ol
i
i
e te
& &P
C Co
t
t
t
t
t
e
&
P
e
e
e
&
&
&
&
P
P
P
P
e
e
e
e
e
e
st
s
s
t
C
t
t
C
on
o
o
nt
ro
n
r
n
t
o
t
r
o
l
Congratulations
KEN & HEATHER BUCKLAND May Contest Winner of FREE Sentricon monitoring for
1 year.
Complete Termite
& Pest Control Services
Fumigation, Ground Treatment, Sentricon, Pest Control & Inspections
CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE!
591-2922
www.xtermcohawaii.com Lic.#: PC-201
Sentricon
LOOKS LIKE YOU COULD USE A FREE ROOF INSPECTION
HAWAII’S OWN
3 Generation Family Roofers
FREE
M
u
r
a
k
a
m
50 Ft.
Solar Attic Fan
Rain Gutters
With A Complete
with a complete
Reroof*
reroof*
*Some restrictions apply.
*Some restrictions apply. Offer not
Offer not combinable.
combinable.
Phone
808-348-8270
Phone 808-348-8270
murakamiroofing.com
murakamiroofing.com
info@murakamiroofing.com
info@murakamiroofing.com
LIC# 33536
LIC# 33536

Bonded • Insured
REQUEST AN ESTIMATE
REQUEST AN ESTIMATE
M
u
r
g Confifidence Into Your Roof
a
k
a
m
i
St
r
o
n
B
u
i
l
d
i
n
i
S
tr
o
n
g
u
g, B
g
i
l
d
i
n
FREE
#410 Gas