Loud music and cheers Friday filled the Stan Sheriff Center, where nearly 1,000 students were competing in "Aerial Assist" — a basketball-like game pitting teams of robots against each other.
This weekend’s For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) in Hawaii Robotics Regional Competition was underway.
There are 39 schools competing in the two-day competition, said Friends of Hawaii Robotics President Lenny Klompus. Ten of them are representing schools in New Jersey, Australia, Singapore, China and Taiwan, he added.
The winning teams and award recipients, to be determined Saturday, will advance to the world championship in St. Louis next month.
"Aerial Assist" requires two teams — a red alliance and a blue alliance — comprising robots from three schools working together to shoot large rubber balls into goals. Robots helped one another block opposing teams from scoring.
"It’s the Super Bowl of smarts," said James McArthur, 17, of Australia’s Macquarie University team. "It’s 1,000 people in an arena competing. It’s not really a sport but it has the same atmosphere."
The competition kicked off with 56 matches Friday, and 22 more are scheduled for Saturday. About half of the teams — those that rank the lowest — will be eliminated by noon, Klompus said.
Teams were given six weeks to build a robot from a provided kit of parts that came without instructions. Allison Wong, a member of McKinley High School’s Team Kika Mana, said practice and test sessions were essential in the building of their robot.
"It’s been pretty busy," said Wong, 16. "There was a lot to prep. … We have to think of the design, and improving the design took a while. When you improve the design, you have to improve another thing. It’s basically like a chain."
For Waialua High School’s Megan Anderanda, 15, and Paul Hutchinson, 16, teamwork between other schools is just as important as the camaraderie between their own teammates.
"In one match we would teach our strategy or work with the team next to us, even when we could be against them in another match," Anderanda said.
Macquarie’s Thunder Down Under is made up of students from more than 40 high schools in the greater Sydney area, said 16-year-old team member Kiatin Williamson.
Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui told students and attendees at the opening ceremony that teamwork and communication are imperative skills.
"While we’ve known robotics provides us with learning opportunities in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math, one thing that really impresses me about FIRST (is it) continues to emphasize the concept of gracious professionalism," Tsutsui said.
The FIRST in Hawaii Robotics Regional Competition is open to the public and continues Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. The event will also stream online at www.ustream.tv/channel/first-in-hawaii.
