Four Hawai'i high school robotics teams will advance to the National Championships in April after winning high honors in regional competitions across the Mainland in the past few weeks.

Waiakea High School, Sacred Hearts Academy, Waialua High School and McKinley High School will all compete in the National Championships in Atlanta, happening April 16 to 18.

Waiakea High School placed second in the Silicon Valley Regional in San Jose, Calif., and received the Engineering Inspiration Award, which earns the team a spot in the national competition.

Sacred Hearts Academy's first-year team finished in the top half of teams at the Milwaukee, Wis., regional, which earned them the Rookie of the Year Award and a spot in the National Championships.

Teams from Punahou School and Waialua High School also turned in admirable efforts at the Silicon Valley and Chesapeake regionals, respectively. At last week's Richmond, Va., regional, Waialua was presented with the Entrepreneurship Award, which recognizes a team that, since inception, has developed the framework for a comprehensive business plan to scope, manage and achieve team objectives. Waialua is also registered to compete in the National Championships.

On March 1, the McKinley High School Robotics team won first place at the Portland, Ore., regional, securing a position in the National Championships. McKinley's victory was made possible by forming a three-team alliance with teams from Oregon and California, which led to a score that more than doubled their opponents.

Meanwhile, Hawai'i is gearing up for the NASA/BAE Systems "FIRST in Hawai'i" Regional Robotics Competition, to be held March 27 to 29 at the Stan Sheriff Center on the University of Hawai'i at Manoa campus. The event is free and open to the public.

More than 450 students on 25 teams representing high schools on the Big Island, Kaua'i, Maui and O'ahu will join 12 Mainland teams from California, Florida, New Jersey and West Virginia in the competition. In total, more than 700 students will put their robots to the test.

"Our robotics teams have represented Hawai'i exceptionally well, using their ingenuity, innovation, academic knowledge and gracious professionalism," Gov. Linda Lingle said in a news release.

A schedule of the competition events, list of participating teams, challenge overview and volunteer information are available at www.robotics.hawaii.gov.