HONOLULU -- It's got the energy of a rock concert, the fierce competition of a sporting event and some of the brightest minds in the state going head to head in a high-tech battle.

Robots tried to score goals with soccer balls or prevent opposing bots from doing the same.

It's a unique competition that can have this rounds opponent be on your side in the next round of action.

"There are teams that help other teams, even though in the finals they may be competing against one another, it's what we call gracious professionalism which is a core value," said Brig. Gen. Gary Ishikawa, Hawaii Regional Robotics Director.

It was one of the many things students learn from this competition that actually began six weeks ago, as teams put together their robots while planning and preparing for the challenge.

"You can learn anything from this competition, you learn competitiveness, work in group, put your ideas out there, anything you need in the real world you can learn in this competition," said Waialua High School student Rebecca Barone.

Science and engineering skills come in handy, but so does problem solving and communication, all of which are needed during the days of bot battling competition.

From first time, teams used the challenge to expand their education.

"We don't have much else at our school other than athletics, and this is our other activity we started this year," and this is our other activity we started this year," said student Nathan Lovett.

To these regular robotics champions, the thrill comes not only from winning, but just getting into the competition itself.

"We're always facing challenges and we're always looking for more," said student Rebecca Barone.

And there is hope the skills these students learn will stick around long after this challenge is over.

"Team formation and working together to solve a problem is things even adults have problems with, but these are skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives," said Ishikawa.