School: Nānākuli High & Intermediate School
Grade Level: Grades 7-12
Teacher: Richard Enright and Makoa Umeda
Driving Question: How do we as students design, build, program and document an Electro-Mechanical device that requires software to compete in multiple robotic competitions both in-person and virtually?
What did the students DO?
The NHIS Robotics Program is thriving this year, with students from middle school, high school, and JROTC actively engaging in rigorous design, engineering, and coding challenges. Under the guidance of Mr. Enright and a dedicated team of mentors, haumāna have been competing nearly every weekend, both virtually and in person, with a strong presence in the VEX Robotics competitions. Their journey has taken them to the prestigious VEX Worlds in Dallas and will continue through the Skills competition in Atlanta this summer. Looking ahead, our robotics ʻohana is also focused on mentoring younger students and giving back to the community.
- Driving Question & Challenge: Students grounded their learning in the essential question: “How do we as students design, build, program, and document an electro-mechanical device that requires software to compete in multiple robotic competitions both in-person and virtually?” This inquiry guided their problem-solving and engineering approach all year.
- Year-Long Planning: The team has been actively engaged since the summer, following a full calendar of events and competitions. Coaches worked hard to organize logistics and input transportation and volunteer needs into a shared calendar to keep the year running smoothly.
- Nationals & Worlds Participation: Our middle school and JROTC teams qualified for the VEX World Championships in Dallas, with JROTC placing in the Top 8 globally. The high school team is currently preparing for the upcoming Skills Competition in Atlanta, Georgia this summer.
- Judging & Leadership Roles: To support NHIS-hosted events, students and staff have taken part in official judge training, helping build a cadre of qualified judges who can lead and support future tournaments across Hawaiʻi.
- Fundraising & Community Support: The team has been proactive in organizing concession stands and other fundraising initiatives to support their travel to national competitions. These efforts reflect a strong sense of laulima (working together) and community engagement.
- Mentorship Vision: Looking ahead, coaches Rick and Makoa are excited to launch a summer mentoring program that will provide opportunities for older students to guide younger learners while getting a head start on next year’s VEX Challenge.
The NHIS Robotics Program empowers students to design, build, and innovate while embodying the core Hawaiian value of kuleana—responsibility. Through teamwork, disciplined practice, and cultural humility, students gain confidence, sharpen technical skills, and embrace the challenges of local and global competitions. Participation in VEX Robotics builds not only STEM expertise but also lokahi (unity), laulima (cooperation), and ʻimi naʻauao (the pursuit of knowledge). With aspirations toward mentorship and leadership, these haumāna are poised to inspire the next generation of problem solvers and community leaders.
