Lilinoe Viveiros

Hello!

Hi! my name is Lilinoe, but you can call me Lili! I was raised in Wahiawa, and I graduated from Mililani High School. I kind of grew up everywhere starting at Kapolei, then Waialua, Mililani, and Leeward Community college before arriving at West. Besides school, I work down at the Old Sugar Mill in Waialua, where I do coffee/cacao mill tours and tend to barista duties. If I am not working or doing coursework, I like to hang out with friends, bake, and sketch out ideas for future projects. If I were an artist’s tool, I think I’d be the Pen Tool. I’m not the flashiest part of the process, but I try to bring a sense of structure wherever I can. The Pen Tool creates clean, steady paths, and I relate to that. I like helping ideas take shape, even if it takes a few adjustments along the way. I’m not perfect at it, but I do my best to add clarity and direction so the final result feels intentional and put-together.

Research Topic: Robotics in schools and the use of social media.

Research Question: In what ways do school robotics programs increase student engagement and interest in STEAM careers, and how do hands-on learning and social media visibility contribute to this effect?

Abstract:

This project examined how integrating robotics programs in schools can strengthen student interest in STEAM careers by offering hands-on learning in coding, engineering, and design, while also developing soft skills such as teamwork and problem-solving. Programs like FIRST Robotics and VEX Robotics in Hawai‘i show how real-world challenges and career pathways increase engagement, especially when amplified through social media. However, sustainability is threatened by funding gaps, limited facilities, and mentor or teacher burnout. Drawing on insights from students and mentors, the paper highlights the need for grants, sponsorships, and educator support to expand access. Ultimately, combining hands-on learning, outreach, and resource investment can help schools and communities sustain robotics education and build a more inclusive STEAM workforce.

Capstone Practicum: Hawaii FIRST Robotics

Project Title: STEAM Lens

Capstone Proposal:

PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE:

The practicum is a planned, supervised, and evaluated practice experience. The goal of the practicum is to provide an opportunity for the student to synthesize, integrate, and apply practical skills, knowledge, and training learned through courses, to gain professional experience in a professional work environment, and to work on creative media projects that revolve around the research they conducted in the prior semester.

Practicum placements are individually selected and therefore, the focus, substance, and approach of the practicum will vary, depending on the studentʻs concentration and the specific interests, research goals, and professional objectives.

DELIVERABLE:

For her senior capstone, Lilinoe completed an internship with Hawai‘i FIRST Robotics, where she developed a social media campaign highlighting the importance of STEAM education and the impact of robotics programs across the state. Her work built on her research showing how hands-on robotics experiences—like building and programming robots—can spark student interest in STEAM careers while developing critical skills in coding, engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving. Through videos, posts, and student spotlights, she amplified success stories from programs such as FIRST Robotics and VEX Robotics, demonstrating how social media can expand awareness and inspire broader participation. By engaging directly with mentors and students, Lilinoe also gained insight into the challenges robotics programs face, from funding shortages to mentor burnout, reinforcing her call for stronger community, business, and school partnerships. Her project not only supported a vital STEAM initiative but also showcased how strategic storytelling can elevate student voices and help sustain robotics education in Hawai‘i.

Go and check it out!

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