Teamwork, Persistence, and Problem-Solving skills are all put to the test at a High School Regional Robotics competition held on Oahu.
Twenty-four teams from Hawaii and four from the mainland started the day putting their robots together at the Stan Sheriff Center.
And if they can get everything working the way it's supposed to, their robots will play soccer, sort of anyway. The idea is to score points by collecting soccer balls in goals using their remote controlled robots.
"Using that side and one going around the other side."
Ka'u High School from the Big Island is a first timer in this competition. So they're a bit overwhelmed.
"We're hoping just to be able to push the ball straight into the goal bulldozer style," says Brittaney Austin, Ka'u High School.
The school faced extra challenges by being in a remote location. The closest hardware store is an hour away.
"It's an hour drive to Hilo an hour drive back to school which basically means we work up a list of parts and then one day a week or whatever we go into town," says Ted Brattstrom, Ka'u High School teacher.
For McMain High School of New Orleans, just getting here was the biggest obstacle.
"Unfortunately due to Hurricane Katrina businesses are not really supporting because they don't have the finances it was tough for us," says Trudy Terrand, McMain High School teacher.
They came here last year but couldn't afford to bring their robot. After a massive fundraising effort, and some extra help from the organizing committee, they're ready.
"Now we have our own robot we're here we have our own team members and we're just ready to go and win this whole thing," says Brandon Pierre, McMain High School Senior.
The competition takes place Friday and Saturday, and winners move on to the Nationals.
