HAWAII'S FLL TEAM S.P.I.D.E.R.S. TO COMPETE IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

This past December, a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics team called the S.P.I.D.E.R.S. (coached by Kevin Dang, a mechanical engineer at PHNSY) took first place in robot performance at the Hawaii FLL tournament. 

The SPIDERS were selected to represent Hawaii at the World Festival at the Georgia Dome and Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia on April 27-29, 2006 where they will participate in a 2½ day tournament with 80 teams from 30 countries. The SPIDERS are seeking individual and corporate sponsors who are interested in promoting excellence in math, science, and technology and investing in the next generation of competent employees and future community leaders! 

The S.P.I.D.E.R.S. (Super Powerful Intelligent Determined Energetic Robot Scientists) is a team comprised of 8 home schooled students ages 9-13 from Palolo, Kaimuki, Manoa, Hawaii Kai, Mauna Lani, and St. Louis.  

The team started working in August and met regularly, twice a week for two hours to work on programming and building skills. They learned about gears, structures, motors, sensors (rotation, touch, light), subroutines and loops.

Due to this year’s FLL theme of “Ocean Odyssey”, the S.P.I.D.E.R.S. narrowed their research: “How can we use technology to filter out indigenous marine life before it is brought into the ballast tank?”

While conducting research, the SPIDERS: Attended five Hanauma Bay lecture series events, Interviewed Norwegian Cruise Lines Safety Environmental Systems Manager & the ships Environmental Safety Officer, Joined the invasive algae removal team at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Reviewed international & national environmental ocean protection guidelines, Researched the current technological solutions to the presence of invasive species in ballast water, Obtained information from local community groups concerned about invasive species in Hawaiian waters. 

The S.P.I.D.E.R.S came up with two solutions:

Filtration & Nanotechnology - Ocean water is sucked into the ballast tanks using a pump and filtration system to remove all of the particles. Then, nanobots with sensors detect and neutralize toxins and microscopic invasive species.

Multiple Filtration System, Hydrocyclones & Edible Glue - Ballast water is forced through a series of filters as it enters the ship. Hydrocyclones create centrifugal action forcing the invasive species to stick to the edible glue smeared on the ballast tank interior. Only “invasive species free” water is released into the ocean.

After the hard work and a lot of fun, they came away with a greater appreciation of science and technology and how they might use it to positively impact the world around them. They learned how to plan, brainstorm, collaborate, create teamwork, as well as, do research and other important technical skills.

The S.P.I.D.E.R.S. are seeking donations from corporate sponsors or private donations to help them get to Atlanta! They are also fundraising through sales from Zippy’s chili tickets and Pizza Hut Literacy Cards.

Please send your donations to: S.P.I.D.E.R.S. Robotics, 4124 Kaimanahila Street, Honolulu, HI 96816, (SPIDERSrobotics@yahoo.com)