School: Nānāikapono Elementary School
Grade Level: Grades 5-6
Teacher: Janessa Gorgonio and Elliena Inoue
Driving Question: How do we, as thriving community contributing engineers, construct a mobile machine that will help 21st century learners solve real-life problems through creative design?
What did the students DO?
The Ponobots, made up mostly of returning members, started the year with strong relationships already in place. This foundation has allowed them to quickly dive into building, driving, journaling, testing, and refining their robots. Their teamwork and dedication paid off with their very first advancement to the state tournament, where they showcased their engineering skills with quiet humility. Beyond robotics, they are working on creative makana (gifts) to share with ʻohana at Hōʻike, highlighting their commitment to community as well as technical excellence.
- Strong Returning Team Bonds: Most of the students are returning for a second year together, making relationship-building an easy start. They immediately engaged in the engineering design process — building, driving, rebuilding, and keeping detailed engineering notebooks.
- Competition Experience & Growth: The robotics team participated in multiple tournaments. While nerves were high, they performed well and gained valuable experience. Their time management skills are improving with each competition.
- First-Time Advancement to States: A team from this group made it to the state tournament for the first time, a milestone achievement. While the outcome at Ewa Makai Middle School was not what they had hoped for, they were proud and grateful for the opportunity.
- Creativity Beyond Robotics: The Ponobots are working on more than just robots for Hōʻike. They are creating stickers and other items as makana (gifts) for their ʻohana, blending technical skills with creative expression.
- Perseverance and Dedication: Even without advancing to the world stage, the group continues to meet, refine their skills, and maintain their passion for robotics.
The Ponobots exemplify perseverance, humility, and creativity. By advancing to the state tournament for the first time, they have set a new standard for their team while staying true to Hawaiian values of laulima (cooperation) and mālama (care). Their commitment to blending engineering with acts of giving reflects their vision of contributing to their community as thriving engineers and community members.
