2023 McInerny Foundation Tour
McInerny Foundation TOUR
DECEMBER 2023
On December 1st, 2023, we had the distinct pleasure of hosting representatives from McInerny Foundation and other esteemed guests at our facility. The visit was a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the passion, dedication, and innovation that drive our team. It was a day marked by excitement and pride as we prepared to give our guests an in-depth look at the heart of our operations and the various projects that fuel our enthusiasm for STEM.
Special Projects
We presented several special projects our students have undertaken. From spam slicers to trophies to custom-designed photo frames, these projects not only demonstrate our team’s creativity and engineering skills but also our ability to apply these skills in practical, real-world scenarios beyond robotics competitions! We leverage Special Projects to present students with real-world issues to encourage real-world solutions while giving back to our Waialua Ohana.
Control Systems Expertise
The Control Systems team provided an engaging demonstration of our FRC off-season robot, highlighting its sophisticated capabilities. We highlighted the importance of building off-season robots as they serve as vital learning tools, allowing our team to refine our skills and enhance our overall technical prowess. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement!
Graphics and Documentation Innovation
Our tour began with a display of our newly acquired graphics design equipment, a testament to our commitment to staying at the forefront of technology. The equipment plays a crucial role in our Business, Media, and Documentation Subteam, allowing us to bring our ideas to life with professional quality and efficiency. We took pride in explaining how this integration of cutting-edge technology enhances our team’s capabilities, not just in robotics but also in managing our brand and communication.
VEX Robotics Opportunities
Our VEX Robotics students took center stage to showcase their robots. They eloquently explained the robot’s design, game strategy, and how their involvement in VEX is a stepping stone to more advanced roles in our FRC Robotics Program. This portion of our tour emphasized the critical STEM and leadership skills students acquire through our VEX Robotics program, skills that they can apply in their future educational and career pursuits.
Exploring The Shop
Our tour culminated in our shop classroom where the fusion of imagination and technology happens. Here, students learn to use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs, visualizing their ideas before bringing them to life in the shop. A live demonstration of our industry-grade water jet cutter showcased its powerful precision in cutting materials. Students demonstrated the meticulous process of designing and fabricating every component of the robot, culminating in the assembly of sophisticated mechanisms like a swerve drive module. We were able to share not only our technical capabilities but also our educational philosophy of learning by doing, where every student plays a critical role in transforming concepts into tangible, functioning robotics solutions.