Hawai'i elementary, middle and high school students will next week showcase their technical expertise and innovative talents at the Hawai'i State Robotics Exhibition.

The students, supported by mentors and teachers, will exhibit and demonstrate robots of all shapes and sizes — ranging from 3 feet to 1-cubic centimeter — at the event set for 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the State Capitol Rotunda. Among the highlights: underwater robots powered by propulsion, robots built out of Legos as well as racing robots.

The exhibition will include up to 30 current robotics teams from Hawai'i schools, and will give students and educators a chance to learn more about starting or expanding robotics programs in their schools, according to a press release issued by Gov. Linda Lingle's office. It will also provide business leaders and the community an opportunity to learn how they can support Hawai'i's students and ensure they have the skills and knowledge needed to compete successfully in the future workplace.

The event will highlight six major student robotics programs: FIRST Robotics, FIRST LEGO League, Botball, Underwater Remote Operating Vehicle, VEX Robotics, and Micro Robotics. A common denominator among the robotics programs is the use of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to teach students how to solve real-world problems.

The event marks the first time all six of the robotics programs are coordinating efforts to promote robotics education in elementary, middle and high schools statewide. The event coordinators for the six programs are: Alex Ho, FIRST Robotics; Aaron Dengler, FIRST LEGO League; Art Kimura, Botball; Cindy Fong and Mark Rongstad, Underwater Remote Operating Vehicle; Dr. Song Choi, VEX Robotics; and Dale Olive and Eric Hagiwara, Micro Robotics.

"This exhibition supports our administration's continuing effort to ensure every elementary, middle and high school in Hawai'i has a robotics program as a means to foster STEM education," Lingle said in a news release.

"Each program represents a unique learning opportunity for students of various ages. By joining together in their work to ensure the long-term sustainability of these efforts, the future success of our students will be heightened to a new level."

Currently, 136 public, private and charter schools statewide are involved with a robotics program.

The six major robotics programs in Hawai'i are:

FIRST

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition challenges teams of high school students and their mentors to solve a common engineering problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard kit of parts that includes motors, batteries, a control system and a mix of automation components – but no instructions. Hawai'i currently has the second highest percentage – 32 percent – of high schools in the nation participating in FIRST robotics.

Botball

The Botball® Educational Robotics Program puts middle and high school students on the creative side of technology as they design, build, program, and document a pair of robots that work in tandem to score points during a tournament. Botball also focuses heavily on software programming.

FIRST LEGO League

FIRST LEGO League is an exciting and fun global robotics program that ignites an enthusiasm for discovery, science, and technology in elementary and middle school students. Students build robots for competition as well as prepare a presentation on their research and construction.

Underwater ROV

In building the underwater robot, students learn how to build a propulsion system, how to develop a controller, and how to investigate weight and buoyancy. Competing in swimming pools statewide, the Underwater Remote Operating Vehicle (ROV) high school and middle school students develop a unique type of teamwork.

VEX Robotics

Versatile, affordable and accessible, the VEX Educational Robotics Design System is an ideal platform for middle and high school students. Beginning builders can design, assemble and quickly iterate their robots through trial and error.

Micro Robots

An intense competition of high school teams, the micro robots must measure either one cubic inch or one cubic centimeter in size. With components that small, the students are required to use microscopes or magnifying lenses for much of the work.

Teams scheduled to participate in the Hawai'i State Robotics Exhibition include:

FIRST Robotics