Assets School, which serves gifted and exceptional children who learn differently, fielded four robotics teams in the latest FIRST Robotics season, one of which advanced all the way to the Hawaii state finals and took second place.
This is only the second year of the school’s robotics program, under coach Peter Han.
“Unbelievable,” Han said. “I’m really proud of our students.”
The W.A.F.F.L.E.S. team participated in the 2019 Hawaii FIRST Lego League State Championships on December 7, and in their win, they were capably assisted by the Mainframe Meltdown team, which was selected to align with W.A.F.F.L.E.S. at the event.
Among the accomplishments the school is celebrating this year include the nomination of five Assets students for the Robotics FIRST Dean’s List for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. These students represent the best in the state with teamwork and leadership in STEM.
Of the 12 Hawaii students nominated for the Dean’s List, one student will advance to the selection process for nationals. The FIRST Dean’s List award attracted the attention of prestigious colleges and universities who desire to have FIRST Dean’s List students apply for admissions.
This is the second year Assets High School has had a robotics program, with only two students returning from last year’s season. Team W.A.F.F.L.E.S. met as an extra-curricular (non-graded) after-school enrichment program, coming together every school day plus some Saturday events.
The team also gave presentations at Assets School open-house events, and as a community service project, organized and ran a school-wide beach cleanup at Magic Island.
About Team W.A.F.F.L.E.S.
Team W.A.F.F.L.E.S, #14825, consists of students from grades 10, 11 and 12, all currently enrolled at Assets High School. Our 10th-grade members consist of Owen, Mairi, William, Logan H. and Logan C, 11th-grade Jupiter and Chloe, and our 12th-grader Molly. This was the first year our school allowed upperclassmen to participate in robotics after school, as previously, robotics was only available to freshmen on Wednesdays.
About Assets School
Assets School was established in 1955 at the request of military families who needed specialized educational services. Assets School specializes in serving gifted and capable students, specializing in those with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. The school provides a strength-based program, complemented by outreach and training that empowers students to become effective learners and confident self-advocates.