Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 - Hawaii State Championship Tournament

Well, we made it!  Here we are at the Hawaii First LEGO LEAGUE State Championship Tournament at the Neal Blaisdell Center, on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.  We're all very excited to be here.  More than 200 teams participated in the district qualifying tournaments!  As a result, there are 56 teams from across the state here, today.  We've met teams from Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and the Big Island, and of course, Oahu.  Teams are made up of students from the age of 9-14.  So that explains why there are some really tall kids here.  

Our morning was really busy, going to all three interviews - the Robot Design, the Research Presentation, and the Core Value interview.    We learned  alot about ourselves, and what it takes to work together as a team, and how important that is in order to have team success.

We did well in all areas, and was so thrilled to learn that we were considered for an award for Research Presentation!

When the robot games began, so did the noise  It was sure loud as the speakers were trying to excite the crowd, and calling out the team names  Once the games started, of course, it got even louder as the cheers for teams began.  

Although we did not win an award what we learned about ourselves and about teamwork was much more important  We learned what it takes to be the "Gracious Professional".  Now that we learned all of this in our head, it's time to practice it in our hearts! 

Great job, Mekanikal Maniaks and Lightning Maniaks.  We are so, so, so very proud of you!
Thank you to all the parents and families who have supported us through the past 2 months!
See you next year!

 Family and friends of the Maniaks came to support our two teams.

 Getting ready for the robot game.  Make sure you take the time to align your robot.

It's very important to refer back to your checklist, just to make sure everything is ready.

See the concentration.  You have to really focus on the mission, and think positive.

Putting on attachments as quickly as you can takes much practice.

Going for the Grocery Mission.  Is it going to work???  

Alignment looks good.   5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . LEGO!
"Go Mekanikal Maniaks, Go Mekanikal Maniaks, Go Mekanikal Maniaks, Go . . .Go . . . Go!

Get the attachment ready, and set the mission, quickly!  Good job!

Going fishing.  One of our favorite missions.

Just checking the wheels and alignment before the beginning of the mission.  Looks good!

Working together takes coordination, so that each person knows his job, and what his partner's responsibility is. 

Oh, the suspense of it all.  Will it work?  Will it succeed?

Hey, which cheer should we do next?

Let's go Maniaks, let's go!   Let's go Maniaks, let's go!  

Let's do it.  Get those fish!

Okay everybody, keep your fingers crossed!  Will the robot do it?


Yeah!  You can do it!  Good try!  Keep going!  Go Maniaks!

Presenting . . . Team #4003 - The Mekanikal Maniak

And here is Team #11570 - The Lightning Maniaks