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Mechanically sound
Moanalua’s robotics team
claims the Safety Award at
the national competition
It wouldn't be a stretch for one to say that the Moanalua High School robotics team got things moving and made a big splash at its first appearance at the National Underwater Robotics Meet in Santa Barbara, Calif., that took place July 24 to 26.
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Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their high school. This week's school is Moanalua High School. |
"What we learned last year will help us do better this year," said senior Warren Garperio, also a member of last year's team.
The team's co-adviser, David Izumi, said that even though awards are nice, it was great to see the team members grow as people.
Izumi said that the students were intimidated at first by the presence of some top-notch universities, like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but that eventually "the team learned a lot about communication."
"They all had to learn to speak up, and as a result, they each learned a lot about themselves," Izumi said.
Izumi also focused on the idea of team building, which was something he said was essential to the team's success.
"They really developed friendships and hung out together, even if they're part of different groups at school," Izumi said. "It was great to see the way they really supported each other and looked out for everyone else."
The team qualified for the national competition by placing second and third at a robotics meet in Waipahu (Moanalua sent two teams). The team's mission was to build a submersible that would salvage a sunken ship off the island of Lanai, where it had the potential to release harmful chemicals into the water. The vehicle had to salvage the ship while doing as little damage to the surrounding environment as possible.
The team then traveled to San Diego in May for a regional meet, at which they received second-place honors. They went back to California in July for the national meet, at which they placed 14th. The criteria for a "successful" mission at the regional and national meets were tougher than the criteria the first-year team was used to, so the team learned much at the meet.
The team's other co-adviser, Randy Sakauye, said that the students undertook a complex project with a short deadline. The most important skills that the predominantly senior team had, Sakauye said, were "flexibility, patience and an underlying desire to succeed."
"I gained a lot of respect for the other teams," said junior George Hwang. "Everyone puts in a lot of effort."
The meet also helped the students learn practical life lessons. Garperio said he learned "to take a step back when a problem comes up and fix the little things that go wrong instead of starting your task over again completely."
The success of the team led to the creation of a new school club, named the Moanalua Applied Science and Engineering Club. The team plans to take part in other activities this year, like Botball and the Meadow Gold Boat Race.
The team has high hopes for this year. Senior Richard Burge wants plans on doing better by "using (our) newfound experience to do better and incorporating all of what we have learned into our upcoming projects."
Izumi said that he does not plan on changing much about the program. He said he is pleased with his team and continues to "see evidence that they are very hard workers and extremely committed and loyal to this team."
Summer session helps
mold video team
Freshmen learn how to make short
films for integrated learning
While many of their classmates were still out enjoying their summers, a handful of incoming Moanalua High School freshmen were already in the classroom, learning from experienced sophomores how to think like a journalist and how to use technology to communicate better.
This was to help them prepare to become the newest members of the Mene Media and Communication, or MAC, program. Mene MAC integrates electronic machinery and technology into other classes.
The students gave up one week of their summer vacation to take part in the Mene MAC Jump Start program, a training session that helps students learn technical skills and procedures that will prepare them for school projects.
Students got their first opportunity during Jump Start to make a short film, going on a field trip to Pearlridge Shopping Center and shooting video footage to edit back at the school. One group wrote a story about the family atmosphere at the mall, while another discussed the diversity among shops and shoppers.
"You can learn different things and not just from books," said freshman Kristen Santiago. "I'm trying to absorb it all."
Mene MAC teacher Lynne Sueoka taught the program's three vital skills: technical ability, collaboration and project management. During the week, she also stressed teamwork and collaboration. These students are part of an integrated learning center that will keep them together for at least four of their six classes.
"The students have four main core classes (English, math, civics, science) with each other. They're going to have to manage with each other," she said, discussing the need for them to learn collaboration skills.
The instruction is intense, and Sueoka expects students to keep up with the program, as the school year is based more on long-term projects than individual assignments.
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This is Sueoka's fourth year teaching at the Media Communication and Technical Learning Center. Her interest in Mene MAC started when her daughter took the program's classes.
"They were so confident with their video skills that I went further than that," Sueoka said.
Casey Schuler, one of the sophomores who guided the freshmen through the week, advised them to "expect a lot of work but expect a lot of fun, too." Schuler went through the Jump Start program last year and thought that teaching was more enjoyable than learning.
Fellow sophomore Irene Pasion also went through Jump Start and understands the anxiety and stress that come with trying to learn everything and adapt to the new school environment at the same time.
"I can relate to the experience they're having," she said. "They've been catching on quick -- quicker than me."
Mene MAC, which started in 1990, brought technology into classrooms and integrated it with subjects that normally would not use cameras or computers. Projects planned this year include History Day and a biology video assignment.
"If we can meet the students' needs, then we can guide them better," said Sueoka. "It's been a challenge and I enjoy it."
You asked...
Crystal Siruno
Senior
"I went to educate myself at summer school, learning psychology/ sociology. I went on a field trip to the 1st Circuit Court House and met Judge Tootoo."Maile Dela Vega
Senior
"I went to California and visited Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Disneyland, and I shopped!"Malia Mendigorin
Senior
"I went to summer school and went out with my friends."Whitney Kim
Junior
"I went to California to visit family, went to Six Flags and hung out with family."Robert Gasper
Sophomore
"I went to the beach ... slept ... and watched TV."Pono Tiave
Freshman
"I went to the beach and summer school for English and football practice at Moanalua, and I learned how to ride a bike."Bryce Shinagawa
Freshman
"Went to summer school for PE and health and to the beach, and worked on my brother's car."Amanda Fukushima
Senior
"Over the summer I went to Indonesia to surf and for church even though I never surf a lot because it's scary ... and too big. I only went out when it was not scary and too big."
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