School: Wai’anae High School
Grade Level: Grades 9-12
Teacher: Joshua Arant and Roger Kiyota
Driving Question: How can we, as young engineers, design, build and program a robot that is competitive and ideal for performance in the “Spin Up” game?
What did the students DO?
This driven Robotics hui at Waiʻanae High School achieved major milestones this year, including becoming an officially recognized school club. With support from teacher Joshua Arant, haumāna focused on refining their robots, building teamwork, and competing in multiple tournaments. Their efforts led to successful fundraising events and a standout accomplishment—qualifying for the U.S. Open Championship tournament in Omaha, Nebraska. The team’s journey reflects growth in engineering, collaboration, and leadership.
- Club Establishment & Recognition: The team was approved as an official school club, granting them the ability to host events and fundraise on campus—marking a significant step in their development and visibility.
- Tournaments & Competitive Growth: Students competed in three tournaments this year, focusing on robot modifications and performance enhancements. Their hard work paid off when one team qualified for the national U.S. Open Championship in Omaha, Nebraska.
- Fundraising Success & Community Support: The team organized a successful car wash fundraiser in December and hosted their first on-campus tournament this month, raising funds and building community engagement around their program.
- Engineering & Teamwork Development: Throughout the season, students worked collaboratively to improve their robots, troubleshoot challenges, and strengthen their communication and leadership skills.
The WHS Robotics team’s evolution into an official school club has empowered haumāna to grow as engineers, leaders, and collaborators. Their participation in tournaments and fundraising events fostered real-world skills in organization, problem-solving, and teamwork. Qualifying for a national competition is a testament to their dedication and technical growth. This program continues to inspire students to pursue excellence in STEM and demonstrates the power of perseverance, innovation, and collective effort.
