Sep 27, 2017 | Education, Stemworks
This summer, The Maui Farm staff participated as mentors in Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology (WIT) STEMworks™ Summer Internship Program. Maui Farm, a nonprofit organization, has been offering an array of farm-based educational programs to the Maui community since 1993. “Our site is a wonderful opportunity for young students to learn the nuts and bolts of sustainable farming,” said Maria Leon, Maui Farm program assistant. “Our intern, Dian Taroma, a Maui High School junior, was able to practice sustainable farming techniques such as animal husbandry, natural pest control, plant nursery work and more.”
With Taroma’s help, in six short weeks Maui Farm reestablished their crop fields that had gone fallow. Together they dug and shaped vegetable beds, conditioned the soil with compost and amendments, sowed vegetable seeds, fertilized, and harvested healthy, organic foods. Taroma was part of the seed-to-harvest process. She also helped welcome 3 baby goats and 9 baby piglets into the world.
“On her first day, Taroma was very timid and unsure around the animals,” Leon explained. “After two-weeks of animal husbandry training she was handling these animals like a pro! She was responsible for feeding pigs, goats, chickens, and bunnies daily, cleaning their pens, and even helped to give shots and sterilize umbilical stumps on our newborns. Taroma mentioned she would be interested in becoming a veterinarian because of her experience at The Maui Farm.”
Taroma noted, “I performed routine farm maintenance and all tasks necessary to maintain a two-acre educational farm environment. As a versatile team player, I did physical labor while learning good communication skills with people along with knowledge of animal husbandry. I am grateful to the STEMworks™ program for the chance to understand the effort it takes to provide the community with healthy food. Knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices, organic farming, and permaculture design are important subjects for all Maui County residents to understand.”
MEDB’s STEMworks™ Summer Internship program is an incredibly valuable resource for our youth, especially as our island is growing and working towards becoming sustainable.
Maria Leon, Program Assistant, The Maui Farm
Sep 13, 2017 | Education, Innovation
Gunther Hasinger, IfA Director
This past June the University of Hawaii’s (UH) Institute for Astronomy (IfA) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a three-day scientific conference on Oahu and a July open house event at its Maui facility in Pukalani. Although astronomy is one of the oldest sciences, new discoveries in the field are made almost daily. With nothing more than light collected by state-of-the-art telescopes, scientists can measure temperatures, compositions, velocities, and sizes. Combine this information with the laws of physics and chemistry, and it’s possible to study the powers of the Sun, find thousands of worlds around other stars, and even look back to the dawn of the Universe.
“Our top priority is ensuring that the IfA remains at the cutting edge of astronomy for decades to come,” said Gunther Hasinger, IfA Director. “We look forward to using the many new instruments and facilities that we will build and have access to in the next decades. On Haleakala, the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), the largest of its kind in the world, will advance the frontiers of solar physics. The second Pan-STARRs telescope and the ATLAS telescope, paired with one on Mauna Loa, will improve the odds of finding asteroids and new objects on a collision course with the Earth. The PLANETS (Polarized Light from Atmospheres of Nearby Extra-Terrestrial Systems) telescope, by detecting light from exoplanets and outer atmospheres of planets, will search for life beyond the solar system.”
With these wonderful resources and an ongoing investment in world-class faculty, students, and educational and community programs, the IfA will be making discoveries that cannot even be imagined today. “We’re excited to reach the 50-year mark,” said Jeff Kuhn, IfA astronomer. “The IfA’s research programs started here on Maui with the Mees Solar Telescope in the early 60s. Now, as the IfA begins its second 50 years, we’re excited about the world’s largest coronagraphic telescope, the DKIST, beginning operations in 2020. It will bring new capabilities and understanding of the nearby Universe.”
MEDB congratulates the UH’s IfA on their 50th anniversary and looks forward to continuing our partnership to advance STEM outreach and education for Hawaii students.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO
Aug 23, 2017 | Education, Stemworks
The STEMworks™ Summer Internships, created by Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology Project (WIT), provided high school and college students with a dynamic six-week program at host organizations throughout the state. Interns and companies both benefitted as industry mentors offered invaluable knowledge, advice, and career insight to the aspiring young STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and Agriculture students.
“Through WIT’s STEMworks™ Internship program, students had a unique opportunity to explore technical and professional development, and gain confidence in their ability to be a STEM professional,” said Denissa Andrade, WIT Program Assistant. “Interns also participated in WIT’s weekly webinars to help them develop college preparatory and career readiness skills.”
At this year’s Showcase Presentation student participants highlighted their experiences with their host company mentors. Using software such as Autodesk Civil3D to model engineering design, interns Jett Bolusan from Maui High School, and Sophia Davis from Kihei Charter School, explained how they aided Goodfellow Brothers Inc. (GBI) in developing infrastructure here in Maui County. “Land surveying is a vital part of the construction process,” said Bolusan and Davis. “Before construction can begin, the land must be accurately measured and matched to the designs of engineers. During our internship we learned how to read blueprints and design plans and essentially helped GBI in the various steps that lead up to land development.”
Kevin Clarke, Principal Surveyor at GBI and mentor, said, “This program is of great importance to the young and upcoming STEM professionals of tomorrow. When I was in high school no one showed me how the complicated concepts in physics and mathematics could have a meaningful effect on my career path and daily life.”
The significant achievements of MEDB’s internship program and other K-Careers Workforce and Business Development initiatives will be on display at its Annual Ke Alahele Dinner and Auction: Pathways to Our Future on August 26, 2017. For more information you can call (808) 875-2300 or visit MEDB’s website: http://www.medb.org.
MEDB is extremely grateful to our industry partners across the state for their investment in Hawai’i’s STEM workforce.
Denissa Andrade, WIT Project Assistant
Aug 16, 2017 | Community, Education
Jonathan Kamehanaokala Merchant, a 9th grader at Seabury Hall, has loved to read for as long as he can remember. For his 11th birthday party, he decided he didn’t really need any presents. “My parents and I talked about how my bookshelf was overflowing,” said Merchant. “I thought it would be a great idea to ask family and friends to bring gently used or new books for children, preteens, and young adults to donate, along with my books, to those in need.”
Merchant’s mom, Shelley, contacted Laks Abraham, former President and CPO of the Maui United Way, who suggested that he donate the books to Book Trust Maui. “The first year, 2014, I collected 250 books at my “birthday book-giving bash,” Merchant noted. “For my 12th and 13th birthdays, I collected another 400 books for a total of 650 books donated and distributed to children with the help of Maui United Way.”
This year for his 14th birthday he wanted to collect another 350 books to reach 1,000 books over the four year period. Because he is also a Boy Scout with Troop 40, he thought collecting books would be a great community service project and way to gather more books.
Merchant contacted Cub Scout Pack 40, which he was in when he was younger, and made arrangements to go to one of their Pack meetings to collect whatever books the scouts wanted to donate. With the help of his Cub Scout friends and others who heard about his project, he collected another 750 books! With the assistance of Laks Abraham and the Maui United Way, all the books were donated to PATCH (People Attentive to Children), which gives away books to families and children.
“I have now collected around 1,400 books and donated them all to charity,” Merchant explained. “It would not have been possible for me to donate all these books without community help, so I would like to thank everyone for all the work they have done gathering and sharing their favorite books with me.”
I hope these books inspire other kids to love reading as much as I do!
Jonathan Merchant, Seabury Hall 9th grade
Jul 26, 2017 | Community, Education
On Saturday, August 26, 2017, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) will hold their annual fundraiser dinner and auction Pathways to Our Future at the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel in Wailea. Guests will celebrate MEDB’s 35th Anniversary and the achievements of students in their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs. MEDB’s mission is to inspire and engage students in exciting mentor-based programs that build STEM skills and foster self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
Ke Alahele Education Fund grantee, Maui High School (MHS) Robotics Program, has many accomplishments to be proud of. Their determination and commitment has successfully brought them to the 2016-2017 seasons, their 10th year. “Every year, at their school, the MHS team hosts the Maui VEX Robotics Tournament,” said Dian Taroma, MHS Robotics team captain. “The students are continuously challenged to design, build, and program new robots.”
Taroma continued, “MEDB’s grants for our school’s robotics program exposed me to the STEM field and its range of career options. As a result, the whole team gained skills that are fundamental to our future.” Taroma’s brother, Denmark, has been in robotics all four years of high school. “I started off as a builder and improved along the way becoming one of the build captains on the team,” he explained. “Being in robotics, designing and putting the robot together, has taught me the values of being a leader.”
Team member Maureen Ang noted, “Without the support from MEDB, the team would not have been able to reach our full potential. We were able to build and program the best robot we could, travel, and ship our robot to our competitions.”
Mary Chin added her experience, “VEX is always a challenge, no matter your skill level. Everyone is constantly altering designs and rebuilding up until the last minute. Despite the seemingly endless frustrations we face, the overall problem-solving skills and abilities to function well in a group setting are priceless. MEDB’s grant has greatly helped us in more ways than one.”
The MHS robotics program, even after the first season, leaves students with a vision and a sense that they can create their own future.
Denmark Taroma, MHS 2017 graduate
Jul 5, 2017 | Education
In May, Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology Project presented the 8th Annual Hawaii STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Conference at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. More than 1,000 students, educators, industry partners and community leaders throughout the state and the nation participated in this year’s theme, Download Knowledge, Upload Service. Hands-on STEM activities, competitions, and access to the latest technologies showcased the student’s skills. The conference featured over 40 student and teacher breakout sessions, 14 software competitions, a STEM playground, a formal awards banquet called “The Stemmy’s”, and exhibit presentations.
“Virtually every field in every sector of the economy, whether a small business or major industry, needs STEM professionals,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President. “Preparing our youth to be resilient, well-educated and self-directed learners is at the heart of all MEDB’s STEMworks™ programs. That is what this conference is all about.”
Jadynne Zane, Maui Waena Intermediate School 8th grader said, “Our school won an award in the Project Impact Assessment (PIA) competition. In a designated amount of time, we had to explain to the judges how our STEM club daily demonstrates teamwork, self-directed learning, and critical thinking, and how we interact with the community. One example was about a STEMworks™ team member who created an app that would allow Cystic Fibrosis patients to communicate with each other and their doctors.”
“Allowing the students to select what they are proud of and plan how to present it to a panel of judges is absolutely real life and powerful,” said Jennifer Suzuki, media teacher at Maui Waena School. “They have to organize, work together, and succinctly convey their information. This was just another example of what students can do when they are given the opportunity.”
Caleb Soo Hoo, a senior at Baldwin High School and co-winner, with Chris Kau, of the On-Site Video Competition, concluded, “There are no boundaries when we have the chance to create our own projects. To see our visions realized is the best kind of feeling!”
STEM education has taught me there are no limits to what I can do. Thank you MEDB!
Jadynne Zane, Maui Waena Intermediate 8th grader
Jun 28, 2017 | Education, Stemworks
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), celebrating their 35th Anniversary, will hold the Annual Benefit Dinner and Auction, Pathways to Our Future, on Saturday August 26 at the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui. Thanks to donors of MEDB’s Ke Alahele Education Fund, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education is empowering students and teachers throughout Maui County.
“MEDB envisions lives fulfilled in a vibrant economy within the very special culture of Hawaii,” said Graham DeVey, MEDB Program Manager. “An example is Alana Yurkanin, Assistant Marine Coordinator at The Nature Conservancy. Years ago, Yurkanin came to Baldwin High School with a variety of talents and interests, and joined one of MEDB’s after-school STEM programs, Future Scientists and Engineers of America (FSEA). By senior year she’d become FSEA chapter co-president and led a team to victory at UH Engineering Expo, winning international praise for her multi-year science fair project working with sharks.”
“Something about choosing to sit with a group of friends after school in this club opened me up to my own exploration of science,” said Yurkanin. “I felt empowered to ask my own questions and look at my life through a scientific lens. Our time at FSEA allowed us to create electric circuits, simulate the technology used to map the surface of Mars, build and test trebuchets, and parachute eggs from a three-story building. I got to thinking, maybe science wasn’t so scary – it was actually fun and approachable.
“Most of the funding for FSEA came from an organization that especially wanted to engage girls in the sciences, MEDB’s Women In Technology (WIT) Project,” Yurkanin recalled. “I remember WIT staffers visiting our class. I felt so inspired to see women as leaders in this technical field and so appreciative for their encouragement. WIT created incentives for kids to get involved in after-school STEM programs by providing funding for travel and lab materials. I feel that because of this experience, I can now give back to Hawai‘i in meaningful ways!”
MEDB’s STEM programs teach students to pitch in to improve our island environment, working mauka or makai.
Alana Yurkanin, The Nature Conservancy Assistant Marine Coordinator
Jun 14, 2017 | Education
HNu Photonics, a multi-award-winning Maui-based technology company, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Since its founding, the company has been recognized repeatedly as one of the fastest growing companies in Hawaii. They have taken innovative ideas and transformed them into cutting-edge technologies for commercial, scientific and military applications. The focus of HNu is renewable energy, defense photonics, specialized optics, and medical imaging capabilities.
“HNu has already introduced revolutionary advances in each of these areas,” said founder and CEO Dan O’Connell. “Our core area, solar energy, is now providing enormous quantities of clean, renewable energy in our state.” With 18 patents to his credit, O’Connell and his team have won numerous awards for expertise in technological achievement. HNu has made major efficiency breakthroughs in solar energy generation. “Moreover, HNu Photonics has ventured considerably beyond producing state-of-the-art renewable energy systems,” said O’Connell. For example, HNu has designed and installed the highest-power battery designed for use aboard the International Space Station.
In 2013, the HNu nanoPoint Division exhibited its patented microfluidic system in the state-supported Hawaii Pavilion at the BIO Conference in Chicago. “We were eventually selected to deliver two full space-ready microfluidic systems to NASA, one for deployment aboard the ISS and the other for astronaut training,” said O’Connell.
HNu has a long-standing relationship with Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB). They have partnered with MEDB on a number of initiatives, including collaboration on the electric vehicle project between Japan and Hawaii called JUMPSmart Maui, which includes a network of vehicle charging stations across Maui designed and built by HNu. “We continue to partner with MEDB and UH Maui College to help develop Maui’s future high-technology workforce,” O’Connell said. “Now a leader in many sectors of renewable energy, HNu’s Energy Division employs ground-breaking technology to custom-engineer efficient, eco-friendly homes, businesses, utilities, and communities. Our exemplary team of talented people is committed to a great cause and a great future.”
The company name HNu is derived from the physics formula that defines the energy contained in one photon of light (E=h*nu).
Dan O’Connell, CEO, HNu-Photonics
Jun 7, 2017 | Education, Stemworks
MacKelan Mitchell, a King Kekaulike High School senior, wants to be an aerospace engineer. Luckily, he also happens to be a student in Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology (WIT) STEMworks™ Laboratory. “WIT’s program helps students gain real world experience in a career they are pursuing,” said Mapu Quitazol, MEDB Project Manager. “Mitchell wanted to learn from experts about what they do in their career and what college courses got them where they are. We are fortunate to have a handful of specialists at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) like Senior Aerospace Engineer, Dr. Kim Luu.”
Dr. Luu, who works at AFRL’s Directed Energy Directorate, has been honored by the Air Force for her leadership and management of critical Department of Defense Space Situational Awareness research programs. Dr. Luu has over 20 years experience and is internationally recognized for her technical expertise in satellite characterization, astrodynamics, and space debris.
“It was really great to be able to job-shadow Dr. Luu for a day,” said Mitchell. “She explained about the different aspects of a career in aerospace engineering and what courses will help prepare me in the field. To be honest, I didn’t actually know that there were so many different branches to the space side of engineering.”
Additionally, Mitchell accompanied Dr. Luu to Wailuku to help set up the AFRL portable planetarium for a STEMworks™ outreach event for elementary and middle school students. “The digital planetarium teaches students how to understand astronomical coordinate systems, and how to use significant points to find stars, planets, and even satellites,” said Mitchell. “I learned the importance of ground-based astronomy across the world. After we looked at the night sky in the planetarium, we played a short film about the Curiosity Mars Rover landing and one about going back to the Moon.”
“My day of job-shadowing was very enlightening,” said Mitchell. “I’m thankful to MEDB and WIT for the hands-on opportunities they offer students in the most current technologies.”
Students in STEMworks™ labs are afforded the opportunity to work with local industry partners and gain skills ranging from animation to computer-aided design to engineering design and more.
Mapu Quitazol, MEDB Project Manager
