Waialua High School was named the regional champion at the FIRST Robotics Competition Hawaii Regional today and will be heading to the World Championships in Houston next month.

Other Hawaii teams earning the right to compete in Houston were regional finalists Hilo and McKinley high schools. Hilo also won the Engineering Inspiration Award.

Taipei American School received the Regional Chairman’s Award, the most prestigious title at the two-day tournament, and a berth at the World Championships.

More than 1,200 students, representing 37 high schools from across the country and overseas, converged at the University of Hawaii’s Stan Sheriff Center for the contest. Students designed and built human-sized robots over a six-week period to compete at the tournament.

The World Championships will be held April 18-21.