For the first time ever, Mid-Pacific Institute is proud to announce that our own MPI Robotics team entered the Hawaii Regional FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Competition. FIRST is often referred to as "sport for the mind."
Students designed, built and competed with robots to develop engaging experiences in engineering and project management. This international competition has been shown to increase student interest in design and engineering and improve their desire to seek higher academic achievement.
"MPI has made a commitment over the past 10 years to emphasize creative, student-centered learning with emphasis in the arts and technology," said Mark Hines. "The FIRST competition provided an excellent opportunity for MPI students to fulfill the highest ideals of this commitment. Our longer term goal is to create a sustainable team competitive enough for selection in the Nationals each year.
Students use design software -- Autodesk inventor, programming environment -- LabVIEW, created a website for the team -- Dreamweaver, worked on electronic circuitry, pneumatics, drivetrain, structural materials, and a variety of engineering challenges.
Mid-Pacific's novice Team 2932 has 4 teachers, 14 team members and 4 engineer mentors to help them in their inaugural year. MPI's team gained confidence and experience as a three day tournament progressed. MPI was selected as an alliance team member by Chaminade Prep Academy (San Jose California) and Kapolei high school. This three team alliance made it into the semi final round of the tournament, to be defeated by the eventual tournament winners: McKinley, Mauna Loa, and Maui
high school.
Team Members:
Mathias Ross (9)
Keita Funakawa (9)
Niko Noel (6)
Kanji Hata (9)
Daron Lee (9)
Bryson Lam (12)
Elle Watson (11)
Victoria Zeuner (11)
Robbie Zae (12)
Ben Booher (9)
Franklin Shimazu (12)
Alec Toshi (9)
Alexis Ho (10)
Sasha Han (9)
Mentors
Commander Jim Grove, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
Ashlee Snodgrass, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
Scott Bresnahan, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
Parent Advisor:
Peter Noel
Teacher Advisors:
Nathan Johnson
Liz King
Lance Iwamoto
Mark Hines
