Gr 9-12: FIRST Robotics Competition

November through April

Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. We call FIRST Robotics Competition the ultimate Sport for the Mind. High school student participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.”

Under strict rules, limited resources, and an intense six-week time limit, one team of 30+ students are challenged to design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors (3 teams vs 3 teams).

It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. Each season ends with an exciting FIRST Championship.

Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!” Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value.

List of 5 items.

What is FIRST Robotics Challenge?
During a three month period, the Academy robotics team (FRC 2090) builds the bulk of a robot during a six-week period and then replicates the design (a clone bot) and continues to make refinements. This diligent preparation is aimed towards the Hawaii FRC Regional, hosted by the Univesrity of Hawaii-Manoa at the Stan Sherriff center. This year, the theme/challenge is INFINITE RECHARGE℠.
- The competition field is 30' x 60' (about a volleyball court), so on campus, we build replicas of the field elements specific to this year's theme. Throughout the season, each team will design, build, and program a robot to autonomously achieve these tasks in a fixed period of time and then operate in a remote-controlled mode. It's a sort of like an obstacle course for robots, but working with alongside other teams during a match.
- Each match, an alliance of three robots (three teams) face off against another alliance of three robots. Your alliance partner in one match may be your opponent in the next!
- Throughout all this, teams demonstrate the FIRST Core Values of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition.
What are teams composed of?

Each team consists of over 30 students Grades 9-12 and over 10 mentors (including faculty/staff, industry professionals, and expert parents)
When does this begin?

The FRC season officially kicks off on Saturday, January 4, 2020 with the Hawaii FRC kickoff held at McKinley High School. It is a live simulcast with the game reveal, based on the East Coast in New Hampshire, so it happens early morning (5:30am) in Hawaii. More info found at Hawai'i FIRST Robotics.

Students on the team commit to meeting with their coaches at least four hours a week, typically a few two-to-three hour sessions a week.

There are learning opportunities for new (rookie) and returning (veteran) students in the last months of the calendar year.
Where are these held?

We meet in the Ken Richardson Learning Lab (first floor of Mamiya Science Center).
How can I participate?
Punahou Robotics provides the following. Approximate retail value in parentheses.
- FIRST national registration fee and kit of parts [$5000]
  - Electronics, control and communications set
- Structural elements, motors, batteries [$3000]
- A wealth of knowledge and experience through engineering faculty, former coaches, and veterans (non-rookie students) [priceless]
Parents will work together to contribute for food costs throughout the season: weekly snacks and dinners during the busy season.

Also, each student is asked to purchase an official Punahou Robotics dri-fit t-shirt ($10) and polo shirt ($15)

Interested in Joining?
Interested in participating on an FLL team at Punahou Robotics?

See our most frequently asked questions and learn how to apply.