The Academy’s lower school robotics team competed in the Hawaii FIRST Lego League (FLL) Kalani District tournament against 21 other teams on Nov. 11.

Members of the team include sixth graders Chloe Kwok, Kylee Kamauoha-Phillips, Prudence Eddy and Nanami Mehring, fifth grader Hyatt Yoshioka, fourth graders Addison Mattox, Malaika Ssebayiteko, Abegail Aguirre and Reese Machida. Team coaches were sixth grade teacher Jennifer Arthur and fourth grade teacher Lacey Teshima.

The challenge for this year’s FLL was “Trash Trek.” Teams had to choose a piece of trash and find a way to recycle it.

In addition to the project, Academy team members had to create a presentation for the judges at the tournament. Students created a presentation on how to recycle styrofoam trays, using the trays to create a bean bag chair, which they presented to judges.

The Academy team was successful in the competition and will be one of seven chosen to advance to the state tournament on Dec. 5 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.