The Thirty Meter telescope (TMT) Project is contributing towards encouraging fun and learning in science and technology by sponsoring a number of robotics clubs in Hawaii. TMT had begun the effort two years ago, and has been successful in bringing together students across the state.
Students taking part in robotic championships
The Hilo High School, Kealakehe High School, Waiakea High School and the Kohala High School have received sponsorship of more than 100,000 dollars from the TMT project. TMT’s influence in advancing program goals have been highlighted at two major robotics contests, which took place in April.
The robots built by three of the sponsored schools qualified for the FISRT World Championship at Missouri and the VEX Robotics World Championship at Florida. With TMT’s support Kealkehe High School plans to host a VEX tournament of its own in September on the western side of Big Island. The Kohala’s team were almost through to the semi-finals of the VEX championship. Warrior Pride, the team from Waiakea, has done well at both the championship and it has won the Engineering Inspiration Award at FIRST during the regional competitions at Oahu. This team has also won the Excellence Award two times at the VEX tournaments. The Waiakea and Kohala schools together have the distinction of being the only secondary school from the U.S to have participated in the International Micro robot maze Contest, which was held in Japan. The funding from TMT backed the team’s participation.
The Hilo High School is on the path to getting back on track. The team has participated in both the championships at the regional level. According to the former president of the team, TMT has not only helped the teams financially, but by taking part in such championships, the teams have developed excellent communication and problem solving skills. Sandra Dawson, the manager for community relations for TMT, is of the opinion that such competitions pave way for the students to end up in high paying jobs. The TMT would take the teams on an interesting journey of discovering galaxies, stars and other mysteries of the universe.