The Mid-Pacific Owl Robotic was re-established in 2016 to offer STEM learning opportunities for students of the Mid-Pacific Institute through their participation in competitive robotics. Students from grades 4 through 12 are invited to join the program and experience the excitement of robotics.
Re-established in 2016In just a few years our program has been transformed from a high school club to a full functioning robotics program spanning across the entire campus. Elementary, Middle and High school aged students now have the opportunity to learn robotics together creating a synergy of STEM learning.
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Our GoalOur goal is to provide skill-appropriate STEM learning opportunities to students grade 4-12 through participation in competitive robotics. The program offers various robotic platforms to capture the interest of all students such as VEX IQ, CREATE Drones, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition.
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Meet Our Coaches!
Johnny Zhang
Engineering Teacher and FTC + FRC Robotics Coach
Johnny Zhang studied computer science in at UC Santa Barbara and completed his masters degree in aerospace engineering at CU Boulder. He worked at the NASA Ames Research Center on the Kepler telescope, on payloads for International Space Station and most recently on spacesuit design at NASA Johnson Space Center. Before becoming an engineer and educator Coach Johnny competed as a student in FIRST Robotics Competitions from 2010 - 2014. He earned the team driver role during his junior year (competing in the 2013 FRC World Championships) and was elected team captain in 2014.
Engineering Teacher and FTC + FRC Robotics Coach
Johnny Zhang studied computer science in at UC Santa Barbara and completed his masters degree in aerospace engineering at CU Boulder. He worked at the NASA Ames Research Center on the Kepler telescope, on payloads for International Space Station and most recently on spacesuit design at NASA Johnson Space Center. Before becoming an engineer and educator Coach Johnny competed as a student in FIRST Robotics Competitions from 2010 - 2014. He earned the team driver role during his junior year (competing in the 2013 FRC World Championships) and was elected team captain in 2014.
Brian Grantham
Director of Educational Technology
A veteran educator, Brian Grantham began teaching social studies at Mid-Pacific Institute in 2002. He moved briefly into middle school technology before becoming Director of Educational Technology and overseeing the Weinberg Technology Plaza. Brian provides support and training for K-12 grade levels at Mid Pacific Institute and continues to expand the robotics programs through elementary, middle school and high school. Under his leadership our robotics programs have grown in their ability to connect academics and technology through positive hands on experiences. Joining the FRC team in 2016, Brian coaches and provides administrative and logistical support to the mentors and students of Team 6704.
Director of Educational Technology
A veteran educator, Brian Grantham began teaching social studies at Mid-Pacific Institute in 2002. He moved briefly into middle school technology before becoming Director of Educational Technology and overseeing the Weinberg Technology Plaza. Brian provides support and training for K-12 grade levels at Mid Pacific Institute and continues to expand the robotics programs through elementary, middle school and high school. Under his leadership our robotics programs have grown in their ability to connect academics and technology through positive hands on experiences. Joining the FRC team in 2016, Brian coaches and provides administrative and logistical support to the mentors and students of Team 6704.
FRC 2024 MENTORS
Charlie Field
Senior Engineer at PacMar Technologies
Charlie is mechanical engineer with his Bachelor of Science (MIT) and Master of Science (UH-Manoa) in Ocean Engineering. He works primarily on computational fluid dynamics in naval architecture and marine engineering. We are lucky enough to have Charlie for many weekends this season where he troubleshoots some of the teams more challenging build problems.
Senior Engineer at PacMar Technologies
Charlie is mechanical engineer with his Bachelor of Science (MIT) and Master of Science (UH-Manoa) in Ocean Engineering. He works primarily on computational fluid dynamics in naval architecture and marine engineering. We are lucky enough to have Charlie for many weekends this season where he troubleshoots some of the teams more challenging build problems.
Chris Baze
Virtual Design and Construction Manager at Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company
Chris Baze has been at Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company since 2009 and has served as HDCC’s Building Information Modelling Manager since 2011. He is the current Vice President of the Hawaii Section of AACE International.
Chris graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Architecture degree before making Hawaii his home in 2007. Chris supports Team 6704 and is working with our Lead CAD and Mechanical Co-Captain Cayden Kameda on a complete CAD of our 2024 season robot.
Virtual Design and Construction Manager at Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company
Chris Baze has been at Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company since 2009 and has served as HDCC’s Building Information Modelling Manager since 2011. He is the current Vice President of the Hawaii Section of AACE International.
Chris graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Architecture degree before making Hawaii his home in 2007. Chris supports Team 6704 and is working with our Lead CAD and Mechanical Co-Captain Cayden Kameda on a complete CAD of our 2024 season robot.
Thank you to our 2022-2023 Alumni Coaches!
Tom Lyu
2022-2023 Robotics Coach Tom is a 2020 Mid Pacific Alumni and 7th-12th Grade Owls Robotics veteran. He has attended State Championships in VEX, FTC and FRC as well as the FRC World Championships and the U.S. CREATE Open. Tom is currently working towards his degree in computer science with a focus on AI research. When he is not studying or coaching robotics Tom freelances in 3-D modeling using creating functional, versatile and ergonomically designed objects. |
Skyler Sybounmy
2022-2023 Robotics Coach Skyler is a Mid-Pacific Graduate in the class of 2019 and studied robotics through both Middle and High school. He twice competed in the First Robotics World Championships with Mid-Pacific's FRC teams as well as VEX and FTC competitions. He is currently a member of Mid Pacific Institute's Educational Technology department and coaches the 2022-2023 robotics teams. When he's not teaching robotics Sky is working as ATMOesports' broadcast producer and director for their emergent gameplay tournaments. |