Sep 11, 2019 | Education, Stemworks
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) held their annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction, Pathways to Our Future, on Labor Day at the Wailea Beach Resort–Marriott, Maui. “MEDB nurtures Maui County students’ passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “From offering our original STEMworks™ service-learning initiatives, to providing needed training, internships, and resources to empower a new generation of leaders and innovators, MEDB is dedicated to creating meaningful pathways to benefit the lives of residents today and tomorrow.”
Over 500 guests attended the event that included Apples for Education Silent and Live Auctions; The Price Is Right (STEM edition game); and memorable presentations by Maui County’s STEM students, teachers, and stakeholders. Winners of two prestigious 2019 STEM awards were also announced. The Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award (DKII) recognizes outstanding students who have demonstrated the most innovative use of STEM tools and programs to serve and improve the community. The Czechowicz Award recognizes exceptional educators in Maui Nui.
Recipients of the Czechowicz Award, and $5,000 each, went to Elizabeth Conroy-Humphrey of Lanai High & Elementary School, Jennifer Suzuki of Maui Waena Intermediate School, and David Kawika Gonzales of Kaunakakai Elementary School for their dedication to the teaching profession.
Wilkins noted, “The DKII is the highest student honor that MEDB bestows. Named in memory of the late Senator, who anchored this MEDB Ke Alahele event for many years and was our foundation for supporting STEM education, this annual award is presented to a Maui County student project team that demonstrates the most innovative use of STEM tools and capabilities to serve and improve our community.”
The 2019 DKII went to the Baldwin High School team: Cameron Loewen, Kalila Phillips, Victoria Teoh, and Brandon Wong. Each of the four students and their teacher Trisha Roy received $2,000 for creating a product to help stimulate coral regrowth and mitigate the effects of coral bleaching.
Roy said, “As a STEMworks™ teacher, I am so grateful to MEDB for providing our students with tools to prepare them for future STEM careers.”
Proceeds raised will help to advance MEDB’s STEM education programs from kindergarten to careers and enable MEDB to continue to pursue meaningful pathways that benefit the lives of residents in Maui County and statewide.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB, President & CEO
Jul 31, 2019 | Education, Innovation
The annual EMER-GEN™ Program, introduced in 2018 as a joint initiative of the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS) and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), was designed especially for those age 18 to 35 who are enthusiastic about a career in space. Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) created the two-day program with the help of advisors from industry, government, academia and non-governmental organizations. EMER-GEN offers mentoring with renowned space specialists drawn from an array of fields related to Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Traffic Management (STM). Networking with other young leaders, the participants join in professional development and skill building sessions to enhance their success in a global space environment.
“Everything about the first annual EMER-GEN was extraordinary,” said Victoria Samson, Director, Secure World Foundation. “There were new ideas and perspectives on SSA and STM policy and challenges for young professionals and students to grapple with. It forced us all to look at things differently.”
Tom Kubancik, General Manager at L3 Applied Defense Solutions, said, “We are about to enter the commercialization and civil habitation phase of man’s space adventure and our young professionals need to take us there and keep us safe. EMER-GEN will ensure our thoughts and knowledge pass on to the next generation.”
Diana Agdeppa, a young professional working with the telescopes atop Haleakala said about her 2018 experience, “I appreciated the short courses offered at EMER-GEN including “Operational Analytics: Demystifying Machine Learning” and “Observing and Characterizing Space Debris”. After acquiring some general knowledge from both courses, I found how an Artificial Intelligence-based system may play a key role in SSA and STM. Considering the increasing number of spacecraft and satellites being launched into space, and how fast they are moving, it’s becoming more of a priority to predict collisions further in time with accuracy and precision. Additionally, we took part in a session where we assumed the responsibilities of key people involved in space policy which allowed me to see a bigger picture regarding SSA and STM. I’m looking forward to the next EMER-GEN!” The 2nd Annual EMER-GEN™ Program will be held September 15-17, 2019.
MEDB is happy to partner with SGAC to launch EMER-GEN™. This new program is designed to bridge the gap and nurture our young professionals, the future of space innovation and sustainability.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President & CEO
Jul 24, 2019 | Education
Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) STEMworks™, in partnership with the University of Hawaii and Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training, presented a series of week-long summer GenCyber camps for students on Maui and statewide. Funding for the camps was provided by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Science Foundation. Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyber-attacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information, extorting money from users, or interrupting normal business practices.
“The GenCyber camp provided cybersecurity basics through interactive, hands-on-activities to expose middle- and high-school students to cybersecurity as an education and career pathway,” said Manda Tong, STEMworks™ Special Projects Coordinator. “Students learned what it means to be good digital citizens making ethical choices in the ever-changing technology world, and how to secure their personal information safely to their internet devices.”
Starting in 2014, the GenCyber program has currently grown to 150 camps nationwide. The NSA is developing curricula and lesson plans to cultivate the next generation of experts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Partnering with universities, public and private schools, and nonprofit organizations, they are broadening the pool of skilled cybersecurity professionals who can protect our nation from cyberattacks.
Iokepa Meno, Lokelani Intermediate STEM Teacher and VEX IQ Robotics mentor noted, “This camp showed our students the doorway to a rewarding and vital career for national security here and abroad. The students had the opportunity to meet the NSA Hawaii director and his staff, who explained in great detail how today each person needs to protect themselves against potential online threats. The students were also exposed to soft and hard skills that included programming Raspberry Pi devices, utilizing Micro Bits, and coding Ozobot robots, all while exploring and engaging GenCyber’s Ten Cybersecurity Principles.”
Maui High School senior Maya Hickman concluded, “Learning cybersecurity is important because in a time when internet and computer usage is at an all-time high, so is ignorance of the dangers behind these technologies. GenCyber Camps give students basic safety skills for using computers, help inspire an interest in cybersecurity, and teach STEM as a whole.”
High school and college students can apply for NSA work-study programs and internships at https://www.nsa.gov/resources/students-educators.
Manda Tong, STEMworks™ Special Projects Coordinator
Jun 26, 2019 | Education, Stemworks
STEMworks™, the flagship program of Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), announced their 2019 Summer Internship Cohort during a STEMworks™ Orientation Kick-Off event. Over the course of six weeks, 33 qualifying STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) students will apply their knowledge in the workplace under the guidance of industry professionals. The company’s mentors will help the students build experience in their technological skills while developing deeper insights into STEM career pathways.
“Virtually every field in every sector of the economy is needing STEM professionals, people who are literate and fluent in various technology skills,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President & CEO. “To meet this need, STEMworks™ empowers our youth to be self-directed learners, to be resilient, to stay current, be adaptive to change, and, most importantly, to have the confidence that they can succeed. We work with educators, industry partners and the community to build a thriving STEM education-to-workforce pipeline throughout Hawaii.”
Lalaine Pasion, STEMworks™ Project Manager noted, “STEMworks™ provides a work-based learning opportunity that helps build critical and creative thinking. Students are matched with a host company or organization based on the company’s needs and the interest and skills of the student. We train students in industry-standard software and engineering design practices using hands-on curriculum, regional conferences and workshops.”
At the Kick-Off, students had a unique opportunity to network with STEM professionals during the high-energy networking session called 5×5− a meeting with five different industry professionals every five minutes. Students questioned professional scientists, filmmakers, coders, engineers, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, software developers, and others.
“Meeting with industry experts helped me re-set my goals,” said Peyton Gillespie, Hui O Kuapā intern. “We were taught crucial skills regarding team building, leadership, resumes, public speaking, networking, and more. My favorite part of the day was participating in the mock-interview− with professionals asking questions and providing feedback. This helped me tremendously in preparing for a real-world experience in the near future”.
Pasion concluded, “It is important to engage our youth in what they need for their own professional development. We want our interns to feel inspired, with their horizons broadened and challenged to keep growing professionally.”
The STEMworks™ Summer Internships connect our students to our local workforce, and provide an additional level of interaction they simply can’t get in class.
Lalaine Pasion, STEMworks™ Project Manager
Jun 5, 2019 | Education
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) will present their annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction, Pathways to Our Future, on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at the Wailea Beach Resort–Marriott, Maui. Proceeds raised will help to advance MEDB’s K-12 STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education programs−benefitting the lives of residents in Maui County and statewide.
STEM education is important for MEDB grantee Pukalani Elementary School. Debbie Hisashima, Pukalani Academic Coach said, “The school’s robotics teams have been competing in VEX robotics since 2014, advancing to state championships each year. Our students design, build, and program their robots, using mathematical concepts such as geometry, statistics, and algebra. We are grateful to MEDB for supporting our competitive teams for VEX IQ Robotics, Math Matters, Science Olympiad programs, and much more.”
Recently, the students had a wonderful experience competing in the 2019 CREATE US Open VEX Robotics Championship in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They took 6th place in the teamwork challenge, which involves two teams partnering to complete tasks to gain the most points possible; and 4th place in the skills contest.
Hisashima noted, “Additionally, a team of seven students, Blake Yatsushiro, Israel Enriquez, Lydia Jackson, Brayden Kitagawa, Aaden Tokushima, Pono Hodges, and Carson Rosenthal took 1st place in the STEM research project—a separate aspect of the robotics competition. Their research project presented the possibility of aquaponics (AP) as a solution to the problem of food insecurity. They did extensive research interviewing many of Hawaii’s experts. The students believe that if everyone had an AP system, Hawaii wouldn’t have to be as dependent on outside growers and waste resources on shipping.”
Concluding, Hisashima exclaimed, “Then, the moment that we were all waiting for had arrived− the awards. Before they announced the winning STEM research project team, the judges said that the winning students showed great passion and enthusiasm for their topic; researching a real-world issue that could have great impact in their community. Then, they called out our team’s number. The students jumped out of their seats and ran down to the stage to receive their trophy. They haven’t stopped jumping yet!”
Along with MEDB, we believe that STEM education will be a determining factor in Hawaii’s future viability.
Debbie Hisashima, Pukalani Elementary School Academic Coach
For Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction reservations, donor and sponsor opportunities, visit www.medb.org or call 808-875-2300.
May 29, 2019 | Education, Innovation, Stemworks
Pukalani Elementary School, a Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) Women in Technology STEMworks™ AFTERschool participant, celebrated this year’s Leadership Day with a moving and inspirational message. During a morning presentation, educators and students showed visitors what is possible when schools are given the tools needed to create learning environments where positive experiences accumulate and empower students.
“As a ‘Leader in Me’ school, the staff at Pukalani Elementary believes that all students can be leaders,” said Amy Strand, Pukalani School Principal. “Based on Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the ‘Leader in Me’ program gives students opportunities that will help develop leadership skills as well as prepare them to be successful in college, career and life. Leadership Day is student-designed, student-prepared, and student-led. They demonstrated some of the projects and opportunities that are helping them grow and develop into the future leaders of this community.”
Working together in groups, students practice all of the Seven Habits. The habits naturally become the framework for behavior expectation and are practiced intrinsically and successfully, because the motivation is in their interest. As a result, students are not only thinking critically and working collaboratively, they are also producing work that is meaningful to them, ultimately acquiring the lesser known 8th Habit, Finding Their Voice.
Feeling good about themselves and others, students are ready to tackle their school curriculum, including STEMworks™ AFTERschool classes provided by MEDB. Pukalani 4th grader Blake Yatsushiro said, “STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) classes teach me so much. I’ve learned how to work as part of a team in Robotics, Aquaponics, and throughout my school day. I’m learning about ratios, volume, chemistry and currently how to normalize the pH for our aquaponics to make it safe for both fish and plants. I hope we can get another grant from MEDB to continue STEM in our school.”
Yatsushiro’s dad, Ryan concluded, “At Pukalani, they are being taught good morals and ethics, along with an amazing education. This integrated way of learning produces leaders who see that their voice is important in the community and in the world.”
I’ve learned a lot from STEMworks™. Not only the science, but life skills like patience, teamwork, and always to keep trying. I hope other kids will get to have this great leadership and STEM experience.
Blake Yatsushiro, 4th grader, Pukalani Elementary School
May 22, 2019 | Education
Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Ke Alahele Education Fund grantee, Kihei Charter High School, used their funding for a school-year long class that combined current and ancient Hawaiian navigation and science skills. “The project enhanced awareness of viable STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) careers and opportunities by exposing students to a variety of scientific fields,” said Ellen Federoff, Kihei Charter Hawaiian Studies instructor. “Through weekly, hands-on experiences, our students learned both the history and current importance of celestial navigation, meteorology, and marine biology, as well as proficiency in the mathematics needed to use a sextant to navigate.”
Kihei Charter partnered with several local kupuna and Hui o Wa’a Kaulua, a nonprofit that perpetuates and educates the community on Hawaiian studies, canoe building, and wayfinding. The traditional voyaging canoe, Mo’okiha o Pi’ilani, served as the living classroom for the project− providing opportunity for the students to apply what they’re learning.
“Some of our students participated in a four-day program over Spring Break where they learned even more in-depth skills and spent time sailing on the authentic Hawaiian double-hull canoe,” said Federoff. “The students successfully integrated both ancient and current practices to navigate on the ocean, while learning the meaning of seamanship. They also studied the Hawaiian night sky, the ocean currents, the seabirds, sea animals, and the cloud formations.”
Eleventh grader Jonathan Atkinson spent Spring Break on the Mo’okina o Pi’ilani. “The canoe is designed to look like an ancient Polynesian vessel,” he explained. “We learned about celestial navigation and how to keep track of where we’re going by reading the stars. Additionally, I experienced what it’s like to be part of a true ‘ohana, making me feel more connected to the ‘aina with a deeper understanding and respect for where we are.”
Jaden Binning, 10th grader, said, “I learned that the ancient traditions were simple. They didn’t need modern instruments to find their way across the ocean.” Agreeing, Kody Izak, 10th grader, added, “We were taught how to use our hands to find our way and the distance travelled. This was an amazing experience. Thanks MEDB!”
The annual Ke Alahele Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction, will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at the Wailea Beach Resort-Maui Marriott. For reservations, visit www.medb.org/KAH.
I appreciate how MEDB, through their Ke Alahele Education Fund, supports the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and sciences.
Ellen Federoff, Kihei Charter Hawaiian Studies Instructor
May 1, 2019 | Education, Small Business
On May 8-9, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), with the support of the Maui County Office of Economic Development, will present their 3nd Annual Hawaii Small Business Conference (HSBC) at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Attendees will learn key strategies from national and local business leaders, in sessions, workshops and exhibits, on topics such as employee engagement, technology in business, video marketing, data protection, success planning, tax strategies, and more.
“This conference condenses a number of important, relevant topics into a short period of time,” said Gerry Smith, MEDB’s Director of Business Development. “It gives people access to experts who provide invaluable insights to expand knowledge and find solutions to problems. It also provides a forum to network with like-minded people and industry peers.”
On Day 1, Jules Kremer, Technical Project Manager at Google, will speak on ‘Google My Business: Free Tools to Empower Small and Midsize Businesses’. On Day 2, Kremer will be joined by her colleague, Alexandrina Garcia-Verdin, to go further in depth in a workshop on using free Google apps to grow one’s community and business. After 20 years in the technology industry focused on software development and business strategy, Kremer joined Google in 2010 leading a team of strategists and analysts focused on strategic market intelligence. Recently, she began leading the Developer Relations teams for Cloud Startups, Higher Education and G Suite Developer Platform—all tools for organizations to use.
“Small business owners have so much to do,” said Kremer, “from building a business plan to building a team and working with customers. At Google we’ve seen a need to understand the tools and services that can help small businesses when they’re just starting out and as they grow. I’ll be sharing an overview of some ways Google can help build both the business and customer engagement.”
On Day 2, three-hour workshops running parallel both morning and afternoon include: Essential Systems for Small Business Success; Tax Strategies for Small Business; How to Use Free Tools to Grow my Community and Business; and Intellectual Property and Branding.
As a Maui resident, I’m excited to share technology with local Hawaii business owners, empower them for success, and help local businesses navigate today’s online world.
Jules Kremer, Technical Project Manager, Google
For more info visit: www.HawaiiSmall.Biz.
Apr 24, 2019 | Education, Small Business
On May 8-9, 2019, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), with the support of the Maui County Office of Economic Development, will present their 3nd Annual Hawaii Small Business Conference at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The event, coinciding with National Small Business Week, recognizes the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. Attendees will learn key strategies from national and local business leaders, in sessions, workshops and exhibits on topics such as employee engagement, technology in business, video marketing, data protection, success planning, tax strategies and more.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy in Hawaii,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “It is critical that they be nurtured and protected if we want our overall economy to grow. That’s one of the main reasons why this conference was created—to help small businesses grow.”
TJ Schier, President and Founder of SMART Restaurant Group, will give the conference keynote, speaking on his 7 Essential Systems for Small Business Success. Among the insights Schier will share during his keynote and during his Day 2 workshop are his three-pronged strategies for building a team of top performers. Schier noted, “It includes focusing on the mission, to provide a compass for everyone on the business team; retaining the right people and letting the wrong people go; and creating a magnetic culture to attract more of the right people.”
TJ has written numerous books and designs training and guest service programs on topics such as building a team of top performers, hiring, guest service and systems. Following his keynote, TJ will moderate a panel featuring Kim Svetin, Moloka‘i Drugs, Danny Boren, Skyline Eco-Adventures and Lisa Paulson of Maui Hotel and Lodging Association to discuss how Engaging Your Front Line Increases your Bottom Line.
Opening day also includes Talk Story segments with business owners Rachael Ray, U’I Gallery; Teri Edmonds, If the Shoe Fits; and Jason Higa from Zippy’s Restaurants, talking about their business experiences. On Day 2, four three-hour workshops provide an opportunity to go deeper into some of the topics. Further information can be found at www.hawaiismall.biz
“My workshop on Essential Systems for Small Business Success will help companies become more effective.”
TJ Schier, SMART Restaurant Group President and Founder
For a full conference schedule and list of presenters, visit www.HawaiiSmall.Biz.
