SR174

WHEREAS, robots and robotic technologies represent a practical application of physics, computer science, engineering, and mathematics and provide a very powerful and flexible approach to demonstrate a variety of engineering concepts; and

WHEREAS, robotics appeals to a broad range of interests and allows multiple points of access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for many types of learners; and

WHEREAS, robotics technology and robots are being used by an increasing number of educators at the college level to reinforce computer science and engineering theory and to teach basic software and mechanical engineering at the elementary, middle, and high school levels; and

WHEREAS, robots and robotic technology catalyze an interest in science and increase self-esteem, as well as teach basic life skills such as problem solving, decision making, goal setting and logical thinking; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii can serve as a model of coordination of a full range of robotics education opportunities from elementary through college and provide templates for initiating such efforts elsewhere; and

WHEREAS, many Hawaii schools have robotics teams, but there are still many constraints on funding, resources, and instructors that prevent some schools from building robotics programs and recruiting students; and

WHEREAS, in order to improve science education in the State and increase opportunities for students to participate in robotics, it is necessary to identify the most relevant factors that hinder public schools from developing successful and thriving robotics programs; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that the Department of Education is requested to convene a working group to identify the most relevant factors that hinder public schools in their development of robotics programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to evaluate the following:

(1) The current state of robotics in Hawaii from kindergarten to post-secondary education;

(2) The feasibility of offering robotics within school curricula;

(3) The feasibility of creating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) grant-writer positions in public schools; and

(4) Other relevant issues as determined by the working group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to include the following members:

(1) A STEM specialist from the Department of Education;

(2) Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa;

(3) A representative from Project Lead the Way;

(4) The Statewide Coordinator for VEX Robotics, or the Coordinator's designee;

(5) The Statewide Coordinator for First Robotics, or the Coordinator's designee;

(6) The Statewide Coordinator for MATE ROV, or the Coordinator's designee; and

(7) A School Robotics Coordinator from the islands of Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and Hawaii Island; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2020; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, President and Chief Executive Officer of Project Lead the Way, Statewide Coordinator for VEX Robotics, Statewide Coordinator for First Robotics, and Statewide Coordinator for MATE ROV.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Education; Working Group; Robotics

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	174
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII