STEM students celebrated during college signing day

Sixteen Hawaii high school seniors were celebrated on Friday as they committed to colleges during the second annual FIRST Robotics College Signing Day, marking their next steps in STEM education. The students, representing Kapaa High School, James Campbell High School, Kapolei High School, Iolani School, and St. Louis School, have participated in FIRST Robotics programs, developing real-world engineering and programming skills. The event recognized their academic and extracurricular achievements, with five students set to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Engineering. Brennon Morioka, Dean of the College of Engineering, emphasized the program’s unique role in celebrating STEM-focused educational pathways. Hawaii FIRST Robotics supports over 1,000 students statewide, offering mentorship, opportunities, and scholarships in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Organizers noted that many participants would lack such opportunities without FIRST Robotics’ initiatives. The event underscored the growing importance of STEM fields in higher education, particularly in Hawaii, where programs like FIRST Robotics bridge high school and college transitions. Five of the students will join UH Manoa’s engineering program this fall, continuing their hands-on training in robotics and related disciplines.