SCHOOL TO HOST STATEWIDE ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT
Kapolei Private School will host 2014 VEX IQ Qualifying Tournament on January 18
This Saturday, Island Pacific Academy (IPA) will be transformed into “Robotics Central” as teams throughout the state will compete in the 2014 Aloha VEX IQ Qualifying Tournament. Over 30 teams comprised of 3 students each will converge on IPA this Saturday, January 18, 2014; the teams and their teachers and mentors come from schools on Oahu, Hawaii Island and Molokai.
The VEX IQ system of robotics uses pieces that can be assembled and disassembled easily. Gears, wheels, motors, and other accessories can be added in nearly endless combinations making each VEX IQ robot truly unique. Since no special tools are needed, this makes designing a robot then building, testing, redesigning and reassembly all quick and easy. Students as young as eight years old can participate in this brand new STEM program geared toward elementary and middle school grades.
The Challenges this year are part of ADD IT UP with matches played on a 4 foot wide by 8 foot long field set up as shown below. The Robot Skills Challenge, Programming Skills Challenge and the Teamwork Challenge use the exact same field and set up.
The object of the game is to attain the highest score by Scoring Balls in Floor Goals, Low Goals, High Goals; Filling Rings, and by having your Robot Hanging at the end of the match.
In the Robot Skills Challenge, one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible under driver control. In the Programming Skills Challenge, one robot scores as many points as possible autonomously. In the Teamwork Challenge, an Alliance of two robots works together in each Match.
There are a total of thirty‐six (36) Small BuckyBalls and four (4) Large BuckyBalls available as Scoring Objects in the game. There are four (4) Floor Goals, two (2) Low Goals, two (2) High Goals, and four (4) Scoring Rings, as well as a Hanging Bar.
In addition to building robots, the VEX IQ Challenge will encourage students to actively learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics with a STEM themed research project that consists of a written or media presentation.
