4th Annual RoboTech Expo Returns to Maui Fair

By Wendy Osher

The 2011 VEX Robotics Competition serves as a World Championship Qualifying Event. Photo courtesy Maui Fair.

The RoboTech Maui Expo returns to the Maui Fair for a fourth year with competitions designed to inspire youth involvement in science, technology, engineering and math.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, October 1, 2011 in the Baldwin High School Gymnasium.

The full day of festivities includes a national VEX Robotics competition, as well as the annual AIA Maui Lego Building Competition.

The 2011 VEX Robotics Competition serves as a World Championship Qualifying Event, and features a new challenge entitled Gateway that begins at 11 a.m.  The VEX competition is made possible by Maui High School Robotics Club, Baldwin High School Robotics Club, the Friends of Hawaii Robotics / Robotics Organizing Committee and Events on Maui.

Fourth and Fifth graders on Maui will design and construct a building structure with a LEGO bucket set. All LEGO sets are provided by the Maui Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Photo courtesy Maui Fair.

Both middle and high school students are participating in the event, which encourages teamwork, problem solving, and time management while showcasing talent in design, construction, and programming.

The AIA LEGO Building Competition starts at 10 a.m., and tasks Maui’s young builders (fourth and fifth graders) to design and construct a building structure with a LEGO bucket set.  The timed competition is judged on various elements including: use of materials, aesthetics, structural integrity, as well as teamwork and work ethics.

The 2011 RoboTech Maui Exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with various competitions and activities taking place throughout the day.

The exhibit and competitions are part of the 89th Maui Fair, which kicks off on Thursday, September 29, 2011 with a parade down Ka’ahumanu Avenue in Kahului.  The fair continues through Sunday, October 2, with rides, food, and and array of entertainment.

The Maui Fair is the primary source of funding for many of Maui’s nonprofit and community organizations. The four-day event relies entirely on corporate or local business sponsorships, local donations, and volunteers for support.