The Academy  robotics teams gained more success with two other VEX IQ teams qualifying for the championships in Louisville, Ky.

The two teams placed in the top 30 in the world for the programming skills challenge. Team 2436B, the second qualifying Academy elementary school team, placed 19th overall while team 2437A, the Academy’s only qualifying middle school team, earned the 26th slot.

Teams 2436B and 2437A will be joining team 2436A, who had previously qualified for the championships by winning the Excellency Award at the Hawaii State VEX IQ Championship.

Team 2437A consists of eighth graders Lauren Matsukawa and Aulii Ludington. They are mentored by robotics teacher and VEX IQ adviser Peter Park. Team 2436B is made up of fifth grader Hyatt Yoshioka, fourth graders Madison Iwashita and Abegail Aguirre. They are mentored by Juliet Won, Aguirre’s mother.

Over 200 teams compete at the World championships and the Academy’s teams will be three out of 31 teams from Hawaii.

Park is excited to travel to Louisville and see the Academy teams compete in World championships for the first time.

“I am happy knowing that after putting in a lot of work throughout the year, the students were able to get this far,” said Park.

VEX IQ has only existed for three years. The Academy mentors include Robb Mehring, Won as well as Park.