Assets’ robotics program is committed to student learning – from hands-on projects to competitive success. Han founded Assets’ robotics program in hopes of increasing STEM awareness and interest and sharing his personal passion with the students, he describes. Han has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics, with computer science as a minor, as well as a master’s in teaching secondary education. “The robotics program started with hands-on projects related to using Arduino and Raspberry Pi microprocessors, allowing the students to tinker with their ideas including building drones, Rubik’s cube solvers, addressable LEDs, and other similar projects,” Han recollects. “(The program) transformed into students wanting to utilize their skills learned to play in a competitive setting through the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) program,” he continues. “In 2023, we formed a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team, bringing more engineering and software skills to the students. Through the collective efforts of a handful of motivated students and a willing group of teachers (mentors) who share a common mission, our robotics team is now a nationally and internationally recognized robotics team that actively extends our reach into FIRST and STEM communities,” he summarizes. Assets’ students share robotics knowledge and passion with the greater community. “I’m most proud of our students’ commitment to share their robotics knowledge and passion with the greater community,” says Masa. “They often present at community events and assist other interested students and schools.” robotics programs at Assets and in the Hawaii community. She received an allexpenses-paid trip to attend a summit at FIRST Robotics Headquarters in Manchester, NH, this past summer, as well as college recommendation letters and a plaque for Assets School. Among a few of Kurashima’s recent accomplishments to garner the award, she served as Assets’ captain of Team Waffles – which won the Finalist Alliance award at the 2024 Hawaii regional competition – and also generated a quiz for students to grasp robotics game rules – which was used by more than 2,300 students from 400 teams from around the world. To date, more than 55 students have graduated Assets as robotics participants – with the majority of them pursuing STEM postsecondary degrees. As for Kurashima, she hopes to pursue a mechanical engineering degree on the continent. "Assets' robotics program inspires students to pursue STEM degrees through hands-on projects and competitive success." 100 HAWAII PARENT September/October 2024 At the FIRST Robotics Expo at Pearlridge Center, organized by Team Waffles, students provide information and resources for others on how to find or start a robotics team.
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