FIRST Robotics Design Review coming up
Kona Science Cafe hosts the 9th annual Robotics Design Review Monday evening at NELHA.
Midway into the FIRST Robotics Competition’s build period, West Hawaii Explorations Academy and Kealakehe High School robotics teams will show their plans for winning robots. The game’s challenge was released in early January; the robots must score balls into goals and then perform a chin-up during the 2.5-minute match.
This event is slated 5-7:30 p.m. at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority Gateway Energy Center in Kailua-Kona. It includes time before and after the presentation for questions, answers and networking opportunities.
The program is part of a monthly pau hana series for people interested in technology in West Hawaii. Each month, a presenter discusses a different topic related to technology and entrepreneurship. All are welcome.
A potluck is included with the event. Bring pupu and nonalcoholic beverages to share; reusable plates and cups are encouraged.
For more information, contact Rod Hinman at rod@auroraresearch.com or 989-0977.
Free estate planning seminar next weekend
Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union will present “Estate Planning 101” — a free educational seminar — Feb. 8 in Kailua-Kona.
John Roth of Hawaii Trust and Estate Counsel will present the seminar from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the credit union’s Kaloko facility in the John Y. Iwane Credit Union Center Training Room. Seating is limited and reservations are requested.
The seminar will cover the difference between a will and a trust; definition of a probate; how to select a power of attorney; creating an Advance Health Care Directive and the estate planning process.
For more information or to register, visit www.hicommfcu.com/communityseminars.
Astronomy talk slated Feb. 27 in Waimea
Guha Thakurta will lead an astronomy talk discussing the darkest secrets of the universe on Feb. 27 in Waimea.
From dark matter to galaxy cannibalism, black holes, time machines, gravitational waves, Schrodinger’s cat, theory of inflation, and the Big Bang, Thakurta will weave these cosmic secrets into the story about the origin of the Periodic Table of elements and how complex life on Earth developed.
He’ll present the birth and evolution of galaxies, starting from early ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by the tiniest quantum mechanical fluctuations and their subsequent amplification by gravity, as well as the modern observational techniques that astronomers around the world are using to study the mysteries of the universe around us.
The public presentation is free and will be held at Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s Gates Performing Arts Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the talk commencing at 7.
For more information, contact Shelly Pelfrey, Keck Observatory Outreach Coordinator, at outreach@keck.hawaii.edu.