LIHU‘E — The robots are coming.
Thirteen schools on Kaua‘i will have representatives from its robotics program on hand when the Kaua‘i Economic Development Board and the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative unveils this year’s crop of robots and programs during the Robotic Expo that runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Kukui Grove Shopping Center.
The free event will have representation from the Lego Robots, Botball, the Kaua‘i FIRST Robotics program, and the Underwater Remote Control Vehicle program.
A flier put out by the KEDB said the expo provides an opportunity for students to share their experience in robotics as well as showcases robotic education in our schools.
“Robotic education has ‘bloomed’ on our island,” said Mia Ako of KEDB. “This year, Kaua‘i celebrated 13 schools participating in robotics programs.”
In the stepped robotic program, the Lego league is geared for students in the elementary schools and provides an entry into the field. Botball, celebrating past accomplishments by students from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, is for the middle schools. The Underwater ROV program involves both middle and high school students.
Leading up to the expo, students representing four high schools on Kaua‘i took part in the taping of a robotics segment for Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.’s weekly television show, “Together We Can.”
Students under the direction of James Massaro of the Island School staff come from Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i, and Waimea High Schools and Island School to make up the Kaua‘i FIRST Robotics program that earned a Judges Award during the FIRST Regional competition that took place in March on O‘ahu.
One of the reasons leading to the Judges Award was the fact the Kaua‘i FIRST Robotics program was able to assemble a team of 34 students enabling students from the four high schools to benefit from the robotics experience, one of the team members told the mayor.
The mayor’s weekly television show is aired daily through the Ho‘ike Community Television, and the segment on robotics is on the air until Friday.
Robotics does not come without commitment and hard work as the ROV program, incorporating students from Waimea High School, CKMS, and Kaua‘i High School, assembled to raise funds for their Big Island competition during the first swap meet coordinated by the Grove Farm Company.
During that outing, the crew was split between selling kalua pork from Da Imu Hut as well as having students on hand at the Puhi event to demonstrate and talk about the underwater vehicle.
“The team effort is so rewarding and life-long friendships have developed,” said KIUC Director Stu Burley, an advisor for the ROV program, during that event leading to the Big Island competition. “I have been blessed to be able to work the ROV program on Kaua‘i.”
Marissa Balasco, a teacher with the Kaua‘i High School program, said while the students were not quite successful this year, they did find ways to have fun.
“The Saturday event will be a venue for students to share what they did, how they did, and how it works with the general public,” Ako said. “We want as many students and families to show up to see how applied learning can be fun.”
