Seven Big Island VEX Robotics teams have earned the right to advance to the World VEX Robotic Championship from April 23-26 in Anaheim, Calif. ADVERTISING Seven Big Island VEX Robotics teams have earned the right to advance to the World
Seven Big Island VEX Robotics teams have earned the right to advance to the World VEX Robotic Championship from April 23-26 in Anaheim, Calif.
The first Hawaii VEX State Championship robotic competition, presented by Hawaiian Electric, was hosted Dec. 20-21 at Honolulu Community College on Oahu, with 40 participating teams from across Hawaii.
This year’s VEX game, “Toss Up,” challenged teams to build the most innovative robot possible to score higher points than their opponents on a playing field similar to an athletic court.
Teams played timed matches using colored balls of different sizes placed in designated zones by their robots to earn points.
After the final elimination matches, 18 Hawaii teams are now qualified to advance to the world meet.
Waiakea Intermediate School was part of the three-team alliance — along with Waialua High School and Mililani High School — that won the Hawaii State VEX Tournament Championship trophy and banner.
Waiakea, Kohala and Waialua high schools formed an alliance and, as tournament finalists, also qualified for the World VEX Robotic Championship.
Kealakehe High School won the Create Award and Energy Award.
Hilo High School and Honokaa High School also qualified for the international finals through their scores in programming and driver-skills state rankings.
Two Kohala Middle School teams also qualified for the April contest after earlier winning the Hawaii Middle School VEX Championship.
For more information or to view list of all participating teams, visit www.robotevents.com/robot-competitions/vex-robotics-competition/hawaii-state-vex-championship.html.
