On February 17, 2020, we co-hosted the VEX IQ Scrimmage where 24 teams were invited to learn a game and build a robot all within one hour. They were presented a game mixed of elements from this year's Squared Away game and a ball from the 2018-2019 VRC game, Turning Point. Teams were given one hour after the unveiling of the game to build their robot. They were allowed to bring a clawbot, which they would later modify for the game.
Throughout the day, we could see students creating unique ideas and perform amazingly, despite the short time to work and the intense pressure. They were brainstorming, prototyping, building, and finalizing an idea all within one hour. Usually, this process takes months, but the students were able to do it within the day. High performing robots truly amazed the crowd and even all of us high school students. We have always been happy to help out at this amazing event every year, and we are looking forward to next year!
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On February 8, 2020, we did a robot demonstration at the 2020 Pearl City Lion's Club Valentine's Breakfast in our school's cafeteria. We brought our two VEX robots and our FRC robots from last year and what we were currently working on this year. Along with the robots, we brought a few of our trophies, banners, and Pearl City Robotics items.
Throughout the day, we showed our robots to those attending the events and even made a fun game for a few kids to play with, since the robots were a little too hard to drive for them. We even got to meet a few kids who were looking to join robotics when they get into intermediate school! As usual, we also helped the Lions with dish washing in the back. The event was fun for all of us on the team and we are always grateful for the support from the Pearl City Lions Club! Every year, we volunteer at the VEX IQ Scrimmage at Windward Mall which is a small tournament open for teams who did not qualify for states. It is another change for students to work on a robot and participate in a final competition. Teams arrive early in the morning where the game is first explained. This year's game was created by Highlands student, Lawrence, who mixed game pieces from this year's game, Level Up, with pieces from previous years games. Participating teams are allowed to bring a simple clawbot, but are required to make modifications within a limited time period at the event.
Both Highlands students and our Pearl City High School students worked hard to create a fun and enjoyable environment for the participating teams. Just like any other tournament, Teamwork Champions awards and Robot Skills Champion awards were given out. A few judges awards were also received. It was another amazing year at the Pearl City Lion's Club Valentines Breakfast! We met so many people; some that we've seen almost every year now. Both adults and children were excited to drive the robots again and discover the new VEX Turning Point game. We brought our two VEX Robots, one of which will be competing at the 2019 VEX Worlds Championship in Louisville Kentucky.
As usual, we did our shift of washing dishes for the Lions. They hosted an event that gathers the community together to spend time with each other and have fun. We are so glad to have the Lion's support and to be able to support them as well. In September, we volunteered for the E-waste collection at Pearl City High School. Throughout the day, people around Pearl City dropped off items to be recycled and donated. Annually, humans create over 40 million tons of electronic waste globally and it has become a huge problem in our society. This waste covers landfills and pollutes our Earth. To prevent this, an E-waste recycling event such as this one could encourage the community to recycle the items instead of just throwing them away.
The day was long and hot, but we all knew that we were making a difference in our community. Pearl City High School's staff were also there to encourage us and the other student volunteers to continue to recycle and making a difference. We hope that this event grows in the near future and spreads awareness about the serious issue surrounding electronic waste. We will continue to keep this movement in mind because, as a robotics program, we use a lot of electronics and may have contributed to the problem in the past, but are ready to prevent it in the future. On February 10, 2018, we arrived at 6:00 am at Pearl City High School's cafeteria to start off the Valentines Breakfast. We had a total of two shifts of washing dishes throughout the day. During the event itself, we did a demonstration where we showcased all three VEX robots and our FRC robot which was still being developed.
Many people came up to us curious about the weird mechanical devices that were on display, but after a few minutes talking with one of our members, they were convinced to drive the robot. At first, most people are resistant to attempt driving, but a little bit of encouragement from the team always gives them the courage to try it out. There were also many curious children who got the chance to drive the robot and play with the field objects. When commenting on the event, Keiko Nakanishi says "It was very fun to see the joy in the kids faces when they had the chance to drive." She talked to many adults about our program and loved her first Valentines Breakfast. |