Robotic basics

There will be robots, robots and more robots all summer long.

The Robotics Organizing Committee is hosting workshops, camps and informational sessions at several schools through Aug. 28.

The group encourages students to engage in science, technology, engineering and math through robotics competitions, which in turn foster teamwork and problem-solving skills.

The workshops and camps, geared toward students in grades 4 through 6 (though older kids may participate), teach kids to design and build robots, program and test them.

“The workshops are designed to get students who may not be involved in robotics yet to get excited about it,” said ROC spokeswoman Corrie Heck. “It’s a fun outlet where they can get excited about their science and math classes during the regular school year.”

Kalani Robotics Academy takes place Monday to Friday at Kalani High School; Camp Innovation takes place Tuesday to July 23 at Moanalua High School.

The Hawaii Micro Robotics Bipedal Robot Workshop, which takes place Aug. 27 and 28 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, is geared toward middle and high school teachers or other adult mentors (who may be accompanied by a student). Participants will learn to design and build an Easybotics bipedal robot.

Cost for the Kalani Robotics Academy and Camp Innovation cost $150, while the Bipedal Robot Workshop is $25 (including lunch) for interested teachers and parents. Contact info@hawaiiroc.org. For more events, visit www.hawaiiroc.org.

Let’s dance! Keiki bon dance

On July 23 from 10 a.m. to noon, the Children’s Discovery Center will host a bon dance for keiki and their families. Festivities will be led by members of the Honpa Hongwanji group and will include dances designed for children, like the Pokemon Ondo.

Children can make Japanese headbands and fans. Favorite bon dance fare, such as fried noodles and Spam musubi, will be sold. Admission is $10, $8 for kamaaina and military. Children under age 1 are free. Come dressed in a yukata or happi coat and receive $1 off admission to the center, at 111 Ohe St. Call 524-5437.

Price is right at PCC and Sea Life Park

Lucky you live Hawaii! This summer two popular tourist spots — Polynesian Cultural Center and Sea Life Park — are offering kamaaina discounts that slash their normal rates for local residents.

Admission to the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie is $15 with a state ID or driver’s license through July with the center’s Go Native promotion. Regular kamaaina prices are $39.96 per adult and $28.76 per child. Kamaaina are not allowed to buy discounted tickets for out-of-state visitors. Visit www.polynesia.com or call 293-3333.

Admission to Sea Life Park, 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway, is $12 or $40 for four people with a Foodland Maika‘i card through August. Regular kamaaina admission is $19.99 for adults and $14.99 for children.

There is a limit of eight people per Maika‘i card, and introductory cards will not be accepted. Visit www.sealifeparkhawaii.com or www.foodland.com.

It’s all about families

As a warm-up to the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Honolulu, the University of Hawaii Outreach College is presenting the “Families of the World” film festival on July 24.

Six 30-minute films will take viewers on a journey to “a day in the life” of families in different parts of the Asia-Pacific region.

The films are narrated by children and shown from a child’s perspective, covering everything from way of life to housing, education, food, clothing and celebrations.

Filmgoers will visit 8-year-old Phoebe on her family farm near Sydney and follow 10-year-old Rakkiaet to school by boat in Bangkok.

The 10 a.m. screening (90 minutes total) will showcase families from Korea, Australia and Vietnam, and the 1 p.m. screening (also 90 minutes) will showcase families from Japan, Thailand and China.

UH’s summer theme is “Advancing Asia Pacific,” and the festival is included this year due to the success of the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, according to spokeswoman Ann Brandman. The APEC summit is in November.

“Families of the World” (suitable for children 5 and above) will be shown at the School of Architecture Auditorium, Room 205, on the second floor.

Films are free. Call 956-9883 or visit www.outreach.hawaii.edu/summer/APEC/families.asp.