School: Mākaha Elementary School
Grade Level: Grades -6
Teacher: Jessica Mishima-Donahue and Thelma Medeiros
Driving Question: How can we as a robotics team use our knowledge of technology, design and engineering, and collaboration, share about how/what we do, foster our interests for our future?
What did the students DO?
In their inaugural year, this robotics team—guided by the steadfast leadership of Kumu Jessica—has exceeded expectations and embraced the challenges of STEM learning with enthusiasm. Both nā kumu and haumāna have grown tremendously, learning how to build, program, and modify robots while developing strong skills in collaboration, strategic thinking, and effective communication. Their journey has already taken them from the basics of robotics to the state competition level, and most recently, to an invitation to the prestigious Robotics Worlds Championship in Dallas. Along the way, students have also taken initiative in fundraising efforts, showcasing a deep sense of kuleana and commitment to their team and school.
- First-Year Success: This is the first year for both coaches and haumāna in competitive robotics, and they’ve embraced every learning opportunity with eagerness and determination.
- Robot Building & Strategy: Students gained hands-on experience building and modifying their robots, learning how different components affect performance and how to adjust their builds for maximum efficiency.
- State-Level Recognition: One team proudly qualified for the state competition, where they were honored with both the Excellence Award and Sportsmanship Award, exemplifying not just skill, but also aloha in competition.
- STEM Learning in Action: Haumāna deepened their understanding of design thinking, engineering systems, and coding—gaining real-world STEM experience in a highly engaging environment.
- Student-Led Fundraising: The second team, although not qualifying for states, displayed resilience and initiative by applying for the national competition and leading fundraising efforts—organizing concession booths, assisting at tournaments, and engaging community support.
- Invitation to Worlds: The program reached an exciting milestone when they were officially invited to represent Hawaiʻi at the Robotics Worlds Championship in Dallas, Texas. This inspired students, families, and faculty to rally around the team in support of their journey.
The MES Robotics program/team has empowered haumāna to explore and excel in the world of STEM while building a solid foundation of life skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and perseverance. Participation in competitive robotics has inspired confidence and self-direction, nurturing their growth as learners and leaders. From building robots to organizing fundraisers, students have demonstrated lōkahi (unity), kuleana (responsibility), and aloha every step of the way. The invitation to the Worlds Championship is not just a reward—it’s a reflection of their hard work, talent, and the collective support of their school ʻohana.
