May 7, 2014 | Education, Innovation
King Kekaulike High School students used their developing skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to help special needs students overcome a lack of fine-motor skills to create works of art. The project was one of the highlights at the Hawaii STEM Conference held May 2-3 at the Wailea Marriott Resort. “I really enjoy science. I really enjoy art, and STEM shows you that you can bring science and art together,” said sophomore Maya Ooki. She and her classmates Jeremie Amano and junior Rosie Kulhavy-Sutherland made up King Kekaulike’s Program Impact Assessment (PIA) Team. The team was tapped as the overall winner of the PIA competition at the conference.
Using 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD), senior A.J. Ramelb created a paintbrush using Solidworks – a 3D CAD program. The 3D CAD design was then printed with their 3D printer allowing Kekaulike’s students with special needs to grip a paintbrush well enough to paint. “It was a really cool project because we used STEM to benefit our community,” Ooki said. King Kekaulike students also won several of the conference software competitions – including the Hackathon competition, the on-site 3D CAD contest and the on-site video competition. Overall, the students from King Kekaulike’s STEMworks lab were those who exemplified the qualities of a successful lab – high-tech resource integration, teamwork, service learning, professional skills, project development and community impact, among others. Each school team developed and gave a 10-minute presentation to judges, including five minutes for questions and answers. Students were judged on self-directed learning, critical thinking and problem solving, teamwork, resource integration, community involvement and collaboration.
The two-day conference drew more than 400 students and educators, and about 75 industry professionals. The event hosted representatives of some of the world’s most innovative technology companies – Google, National Geographic Education, Apple for Education, Chevron and more. The conference’s theme was “Innovate, Empower. Impact the World through STEM.” Presented by the Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology Project, the statewide STEM conference allows students to have first-hand exposure to advanced in-demand technologies, the latest software training and real world challenges in the form of fun, hands-on team competitions. For more information visit http://womenintech.com/HawaiiSTEMConference/.
Apr 30, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
A STEMworks™ internship turned out to be a launching pad for Andres “AJ” Ramelb and his pursuit of a career in computers. Putting it in the words of the King Kekaulike High School senior, Ramelb said: “When I had all this technology through my STEMworks™ program at my disposal, it really boosted my interest.” Ramelb sought and earned a STEMworks™ internship at Ardent through the Women in Technology Project, a statewide workforce initiative at Maui Economic Development Board.
The STEMworks™ program provides students with access to high tech tools, software training, project design, career exposure, and internship opportunities to learn from mentors and gain real-world job experience, knowledge and skills they’ll need when they join the 21st century workforce. Following his internship and his experiences with his school’s robotics team, STEMworks™ and a course in design technology, Ramelb said he acquired a “good feel” for the work behind computer programming, software analysis and Web site design. He said the summer STEMworks™ internship led to his decision to devise a senior project that featured converting a broken arcade machine into a MAME cabinet. MAME stands for Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator. Ramelb used the old shell of the broken arcade game to house a new one. “I wired and programmed the control panel for the cabinet and found an open source platform to run three games – Pac-Man, Galaga and Street Fighter III,” he said.
Ramelb said he’s always liked math and computers, but it wasn’t until the STEMworks™ internship that he realized a career in computers was possible. His plans after high school graduation are to seek a liberal arts degree from the University of Hawaii Maui College and then pursue more studies in either engineering or computer technology. “I can see myself with a future in computers and technology,” he said. In order to be eligible for a STEMworks™ internship, applicants must be STEMworks™ program participants. Slots are available on every island throughout the state. For more information, call MEDB at 875-2300, or visit: www.medb.org
Apr 23, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
Sadie Mossman holds a perfect attendance record at the Hawaii Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Conference presented by Maui Economic Development Board. “MEDB always brings in great resources at the conference and I come away every year learning something,” said Mossman, a 13-year teaching veteran from King Kekaulike High School.
For the fifth consecutive year, the STEM conference is expected to draw hundreds of students statewide to Maui to celebrate STEM learning projects and connect with others who share their interests in science and technology, math and engineering. Experts from innovative companies such as Google and National Geographic provide hands-on STEM lessons and help conference participants apply their STEM skills in competitions. Professional development workshops for teachers are also offered at the conference. A limited number of spots are still open for the first day of the conference – May 2nd from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Wailea Marriott Resort & Spa. Cost is $20 per teacher and includes lunch. The online registration link is: http://stemconference2014.eventbrite.com. Contact Lesley Bristol at bristol@medb.org or call 875-2332.
Mossman, who teaches biology and bio-technology to 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders, said the annual conference has challenged her and her students to approach lessons in science, math and technology in ways they’ve never done. “For me in science, it’s helped me get comfortable with the Internet and the different resources and teaching tools available,” she said.
“It also helps to create a bridge between what my students want to do and what resources are available.” Mossman said she appreciates the opportunity to connect with experts in the science and technology field as well as teaching peers from around the state. “MEDB and the STEM conference really provide an opportunity for teachers to create connections and collaborate,” she said.
Apr 16, 2014 | Community, Sustainability
Haiku resident John Cadman’s career as a hotel sous chef, a school cafeteria manager and now the owner of a locally sourced food business has always focused on healthy alternatives. “I just felt like it was my destiny,” Cadman said, referring to his newest venture as the owner and sole operator of the Maui Breadfruit Company and Pono Pies. Cadman earned first place at the 2014 Hawaii Food Products Recipe Contest for his Maui ‘Ulu Hummus during the Maui County Ag Festival.
After working for 18 years in cafeterias at Haiku Elementary, King Kekaulike High School and Kamehameha Schools Maui, Cadman found himself studying, cooking and eventually promoting the use of breadfruit in daily living. “There was like this huge hole, vacuum, with breadfruit. I was so inspired, I decided to go with it,” he said. He launched Pono Pies, gluten-free, dairy-free desserts served up at local restaurants and sold at retail outlets. The pies made their debut at Whole Foods Market in Kahului just this month. The Maui ‘Ulu Hummus features breadfruit, macadamia nuts and lemon juice as its primary ingredients. Cadman says 90 percent of the hummus comes from local island sources. “Localized food sources make a lot of sense, and it allows us to be healthy,” he said.
“I think people are eating with a conscience,” Cadman said, noting a national shift away from processed foods and items with high sugar and high fat content. “We’re all more conscious now of the leading causes of obesity, diabetes and cancer and most of them are causes by lifestyle choices, especially diet,” he said. As the winner of the Hawaii Food Products Recipe Contest, Cadman will receive assistance from Maui Food Technology Center consultants with nutritional labels or food science services. “I’ll take all the help I can get,” Cadman said.
The Maui Food Technology Center is an organization dedicated to growing Hawaii’s food industry and connecting students, food producers and farmers through the practice of food science. The Maui Economic Development Board is a founding member of the Maui Food Technology Center, and MEDB President and CEO Jeanne Skog serves on its board of directors.
“Eating consciously entails eating food that’s healthier for the body, the environment and for the planet.” — John Cadman, Owner and operator of the Maui Breadfruit Company, Winner of the 2014 Hawaii Food Products Recipe Contest
Apr 9, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
Baldwin High School robotics team captain Joey Albright has been accepted into six colleges with plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He says his experience with robot building and the task of writing grants to fund the robotics team helped him to succeed. “STEM education is important. It paid off for me,” said Albright, who has been on the Baldwin robotics team since his freshman year.
Albright took charge in his junior and senior year with applying for monetary support from the Maui Economic Development Board’s Ke Alahele Education Fund Program. “Getting money was number one for me. We can’t be competitive without funding,” Albright said. He said he gladly accepted the duties of grant writer because he wanted to improve his writing skills. “I thought it was a great opportunity to get experience and skills to apply for colleges and for scholarships,” he said. “I learned the importance of meeting deadlines, of dealing with different types of people and just working with a team. I think it was definitely worth it.” Albright said his fellow Baldwin Robotics Club members helped with writing for other private grants including Sean Endo and Aubrey Unemori.
Albright graduates in a few weeks, having competed on the state and national level. He said he would encourage new students to sign up for robotics. “The best thing for freshmen is to stick with it, no matter how much it takes,” Albright said. Since 2007, more than $740,000 in grants has been awarded to schools and students and their STEM education programs and projects. This year’s Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner and Auction will be held Aug. 23 at the Grand Wailea Resort. Sponsorships opportunities are available. Contact MEDB at cari@medb.org; call 875-2300, or visit: www.medb.org/KeAlahele/overview.cfm
