Feb 15, 2017 | Education, Innovation, Stemworks
The Maui League VEX IQ Robotics finals took place on Saturday January 28th at Lokelani Intermediate School in Kihei. The Teamwork Champion Award went to Pukalani Elementary School team 10704B and Maui Preparatory Academy team 10528B. Both teams, along with Pomaikai Elementary School, qualified for the State/Regional VEX IQ Challenge on February 20, 2017 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. These Maui students continue to spend countless hours designing, building, programming and testing their robots with hopes of advancing to the 10th VEX Robotics World Championship on April 19-25, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky.
The VEX IQ Challenge is played on a 4’x8’ rectangular field. Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60-second teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points. Teams also compete in two additional challenges. The Robot Skills Challenge requires each robot to take the field under driver control. The Programming Skills Challenge requires each robot to score points without any driver inputs. The object of the game is to attain the highest score by accumulating Hexballs in their color-coded zones and goals and by parking and balancing robots on the bridge.
For over a decade, the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund of Maui Economic Development Board, fueled with the generous support from numerous community businesses and individuals, has been empowering Maui County students to compete in the VEX IQ Challenge and First® Robotics Competitions. “MEDB is thrilled to see the excitement of our Maui County students as they experience the Maui League competitions,” said Isla Young, WIT K-12 STEM Director. “As we continue to engage our students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education, robotics is one example that brings together critical thinking, teamwork, and research.”
“If it weren’t for MEDB, Pukalani Elementary School would not have this incredible Robotics program,” said Jasmine Domingo, Pukalani Robotics Coach. “Alongside their STEM education, the students are building leadership and problem-solving skills. I’m so proud of them!”
I love that there are always new things to learn at the competitions, such as how to improve programming of robots. Also, I enjoy working with my teammates and students from other schools.
Josie Vierra, Pukalani Elementary School 4th Grader
Jan 4, 2017 | Education, Stemworks
Jonathan Olsten, former STEMworks™ intern
Jonathan Olsten, once a student in Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) STEMworks™ Summer Internship Program, speaks of the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in his life. “I interned with MEDB while I was in college,” explained Olsten, a Foreign Spacecraft Analyst at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC). “Through MEDB I worked at the University of New Mexico’s Maui Scientific Research Center doing data analysis of solar intensity. I took what I learned from that experience and applied it to my current job at NASIC, analyzing large amounts of data.”
Olsten first realized he wanted to pursue a degree in engineering while he was taking high school physics. Understanding the way things work in theory and applying that knowledge in practice, was the kind of academic experience that he found most interesting and enjoyable. “It was nice to be good in math, but math for math’s sake was not as interesting to me,” Olsten noted. “It was learning how to apply the mathematical concepts to solve real-world problems that made math interesting.”
After Olsten decided to pursue engineering, it wasn’t difficult to choose his major. Inspired by a couple of pilots in his family, and a child’s dream to be an astronaut, aerospace engineering seemed like a great career choice. “In fact, one of the first toys I can remember having was a space shuttle,” Olsten said. “My advice for kids still in school is to make sure they end up in a position where they have the tools they need to find the job they will enjoy. That is almost synonymous with STEM. Take electives in high school to decide what kinds of STEM careers interest you most.”
Olsten praises MEDB for the extraordinary job they do in the community. “MEDB’s assistance to teachers and students provides education in cutting-edge technologies,” he said. “MEDB’s programs provide STEM thinking skills that solve real problems in the community and beyond.”
MEDB continues to offer extraordinary STEM programs and internships throughout the year.
Jonathan Olsten, Foreign Spacecraft Analyst, NASIC
Dec 14, 2016 | Education
The Women in Technology (WIT) Project of Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) is proud to announce that one of their STEMworks™ AFTERschool teachers, Jennifer Suzuki, from Maui Waena Intermediate School in Kahului, was named the Maui District Teacher of the Year. Suzuki was one of eight teachers across the state that was considered for the 2017 Teacher of the Year honor by the Department of Education. As a District teacher honoree she received a $500.00 award from the corporate sponsor, The Polynesian Cultural Center.
“The Maui District Teacher of the Year award is a great tribute to Suzuki and our school,” said Maui Waena Intermediate School principal, Jamie Yap. “Suzuki has been recognized for all her hard work and time that she puts in with her students, whom she always puts first.”
“I was so happy to support Suzuki for Teacher of the Year,” said Isla Young, WIT Program Director. “Her classroom is an amazing example of an engaged and inspiring teacher who is truly having an incredible impact on her students, their families, and the community. Suzuki’s ability to bring people together for the betterment of her students and school is remarkable. She is raising the bar as to what middle school students are capable of. Additionally, she empowers her students with self-efficacy to impact their island community.”
Suzuki, a teacher for 17 years, emphasizes the importance of relating to her students, which enables her to guide the development of their talents in constructive ways. “I seek performance-based, real-work opportunities for my students,” she said. “My partnership with MEDB has enabled expansion of Maui Waena’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs such as video, media, robotics, coding, and gardening. It’s a great honor that I was selected as Maui District Teacher of the Year. I want to continue growing my STEMworks™ AFTERschool program with MEDB so that my students will be qualified for high-paying jobs right here on Maui.”
My goal is to create a space of creativity and innovation for my students.
Jennifer Suzuki, Waena Intermediate School, Maui District Teacher of the Year
Nov 30, 2016 | Education, Stemworks
Maui High School freshman, Christine Alonzo was invited by President Obama to attend the first-ever White House South by South Lawn (SXSL) event. The Women in Technology (WIT) Project of the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) sponsored the Washington D.C. trip for Alonzo and her former Maui Waena STEMworks™ AFTERschool teacher, Jennifer Suzuki. The two-day festival, celebrating the spirit of innovation, brought together creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs who work to improve the lives of people in their communities and in the world. Keynote speakers and panels discussed how to solve the country’s most pressing problems while exhibits depicted a future that is full of opportunity for everyone.
In June 2016, while still at Maui Waena Intermediate School, Alonzo attended the PBS Student Reporting Labs’ All-Star Camp in D.C. While attending the camp, she and her group, made up of students from Colorado, California and Virginia, produced a story about a Georgetown graduate who created an interactive website (socialgirlz.com) for African American girls to network and support each other. After Alonzo completed the video, it was submitted to the White House Student Film Festival for this year’s theme, The World I Want to Live In. Although the film was not chosen as a finalist, it was selected as an honorable mention along with an invitation to Alonzo and her group to attend the White House film festival and the inaugural SXSL event.
“It was so amazing to have my video honored like that,” said Alonzo. “Attending the film festival was one of the highlights of my life and really inspired me to continue telling stories and creating videos. The SXSL experience was even more inspirational because I got to meet so many people who are fostering innovation and doing wonderful things in their communities.”
SXSL challenged us to build toward an America that is full of opportunities for everyone.
Christine Alonzo, Maui High School Freshman
Oct 19, 2016 | Education, Innovation
Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology (WIT) Project presented a two-day STEMworks™ Professional Development (PD) Workshop. STEMworks™ is a multi-faceted, hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) program. In this approach to learning, students get to use the most current, high-end technologies in actual community-service learning projects. Facilitators in the STEMworks™ Afterschool program attended the workshop from across the state, representing 27 elementary, middle and high schools.
“We revealed our new THINKit Kits that each STEMworks™ lab will have,” said Melinda White, MEDB WIT Project Manager. “The THINKit kits are designed to nurture creativity and build excitement and competency in the classroom. The contents will help students access STEMworks™ tools such as CAD software, Adobe products, coding languages and more.”
“With new technologies, ingenuity and higher expectations, we are living today in the most dynamic era in learning and education,” White said. “We hope that THINKit will create opportunities to unlock passions, talents, and strengths for students, now and in the future.”
“The STEMworks™ Teacher PD workshop gave me a new perspective on teaching,” said Peter Hansen, computer resource teacher for grades K-5 at Kamali’i Elementary School. “WIT and MEDB have always been so generous in securing the resources that I need as a teacher to implement new lessons. It is fantastic that they have assembled a set of items into a THINKit kit that will be given to each STEMworks™ school. I can only imagine the possibilities now that my students will have access to drones, robots, virtual reality viewers and much more.”
WIT brought trainers and speakers, including a special virtual visit from Pixar chief scientist Tony DeRose, to help the educators work with the tools in their THINKit kits. “Events like this are so valuable for teachers and by extension their students,” Hansen added. “It was great to talk with one another and to brainstorm how we intend to use the STEMworks™ curriculum and resources in our schools to help shape new inventive and entrepreneurial thinking.”
THINKit provides educators with a continuum of tools that advance critical thinking and skill from kindergarten to college to career!
Melinda White, MEDB WIT Project Manager
Oct 5, 2016 | Education, Small Business
Two workshops coming up this month will be invaluable to anyone thinking of starting a business on Lāna‘i: An evening “pitch bootcamp” next week, and a weekend workshop October 21-23. Both are free and include meals. Details and registration info below.
Maka Hou Lāna‘i
Maka Hou Lāna‘i Business Workshop: Starting a business from concept to creation
Make a fresh start by learning how to create a new business from the ground up in just one weekend. At Maka Hou Lāna‘i you will experience the spills and thrills, the disappointments and satisfactions of building a business from scratch. But you won’t be alone. Mentors, experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and other participants will be there to give you the confidence you need to power through this action-packed weekend.
PRIZE PACKAGE FOR THE WINNING PITCH!
October 21-23, 2016 at the Lāna‘i Senior Center. 5:00PM Friday-2:00PM Sunday. There is no charge for this workshop, but reservations are required. Meals are included!
Pitch Bootcamp Lāna‘i
Prepare. Warm up. Practice for Maka Hou Lāna‘i!
Learn to effectively promote yourself and your business idea to others comfortably and with confidence – anytime, anywhere. This Pitch Bootcamp is specifically designed to give you the knowledge and practice you need to craft and deliver your BIG IDEA in 60 seconds or less.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016 5:00PM-8:00PM at the Lāna‘i Senior Center. This workshop is FREE, but reservations are required. Dinner is included!
Register now
To register online, visit www.medb.org/MAKA-HOU-LANAI
For more information, contact Annette at info@hightechmaui.com or (808)270-6811.
Sep 14, 2016 | Education, Small Business
Lanai residents interested in learning about how to run their businesses more profitably attended a free workshop and dinner, Pinching Your Pennies: Finance for Small Businesses at the Lanai Senior Center. Presented by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) as part of their Innovation Series, this workshop offered attendees helpful tips on how to run their business more profitably and avoid mistakes that cause failure. Anyone who’s ever bootstrapped a business knows all about the art of doing more with less. The Pinching Your Pennies workshop gave participants a chance to recognize the importance of possible short- and long-term effects of their decisions. For example, “Will it save my business money without negatively impacting profits later on?”
The workshop speaker, Gerry Smith, Director of Business Development at MEDB, covered numerous topics concerning the break-even analysis. “We discussed how to determine the selling price of a product, why cash flow is so important, what fixed versus variable costs are, and the difference between wholesale and retail,” said Smith. “It’s good to be frugal,” he explained. “However, it was important to talk about what will directly affect customers or compromise the ability to operate efficiently, so that efforts don’t backfire. It’s all about looking at a business as a whole, and deciding which costs are absolutely worth it and which can be reduced in an efficient way that still benefits your business.”
“The workshop answered some essential questions for me,” said Lanai resident Cory Labang. “I learned the importance of knowing what money is coming in and what money is going out, and to know whether a profit is being made or not. I’m going to go home and make fixed-cost and variable-cost analyses for all my items.” Lanai resident Matthew Posadas’s career goal is to be a private chef. “The workshop energized and excited me,” Posada said. “I have taken business finance before, but this workshop helped me clearly understand some very important basic concepts. Thank you MEDB!”
This workshop was fulfilling. I’m so grateful to MEDB for bringing helpful business workshops to Lanai. I look forward to future meetings in their Innovation Series.
Matthew Posada, Lanai Resident
Aug 31, 2016 | Education, Stemworks
“Pathways to Our Future,” the annual dinner and auction to benefit the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) Ke Alahele Education Fund, was held at the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort in Wailea on August 20th. The 2016 event, celebrating the Fund’s 10th year, provided a fun, educational and inspirational look at MEDB’s statewide STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programs. Over 550 guests enjoyed an exciting lineup of activities, bid on a myriad of items during the popular Apples for Education live and silent auctions and competed in teams during a Family Feud-style game – STEM edition. Besides hosting distinguished guests U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui and his wife Lynette, and Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa and his wife Ann, the event raised an impressive $331,800. “Thanks to generous businesses and other community stakeholders, we have touched thousands of students,” said MEDB President & CEO Jeanne Unemori Skog. “Donors help support the teaching, tools, and experiences that will prepare our youth for STEM careers.”
MEDB proudly announced the 2016 honorees of the Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award who demonstrated the most creative use of STEM tools and capabilities to best serve our community. First place winners, Lanai High and Elementary School students, Jasmine and Keona Conroy-Humphrey, used the geospatial software training they received in their MEDB STEMworks™ lab for their project, Lanai Fire Hydrant Collection. “We produced an Esri electronic map to geolocate fire hydrants for the Lanai Water Company,” said Jasmine and Keona. “The Esri Collector app helped locate the longitude and latitude of each fire hydrant allowing the water company and fire department faster access to the fire hydrants from their computers and phones. Our goal, to geolocate the information in a timely manner, was to help make Lanai a safer place.”
“We are so proud of all our STEM students,” said Skog. “MEDB’s programs offer a fantastic opportunity for students of different backgrounds, skill levels, and affinities to get together and create an amazing service for the community!”
The annual Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award was created to inspire students and to encourage them in STEM pursuits that would include the community and make life better for our citizens.
Jennifer Goto-Sabas, Director of the Daniel K. Inouye Institute Fund
Aug 24, 2016 | Education
Ethan Gulnac, a 15-year-old Kihei Charter School 10th grade student, gave an extraordinary talk and drone demonstration at Maui Economic Development Board’s 2016 Hawaii STEM Conference in May. Interested in aviation since he was a child, Gulnac has learned the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for his future aspirations.
“I have been involved with aviation my entire life,” Gulnac said. “Surprisingly enough, it all began with paper airplanes.” As a young child, Gulnac spent many of his days folding a variety of different paper airplane designs, exploring how each different fold would change the way it flew. After several years of flying model airplanes, he decided to build his first racing drone, equipped with a first-person video system. “With the headset on, I was no longer bound to the earth,” he explained. “It brought the ability to soar like an eagle!”
“STEM is everywhere in the 21st century,” said Gulnac. “Starting with science, drones are heavier than the air that they displace. In order to keep themselves airborne, they must create thrust using motors and propellers. As Newton’s second and third laws of motion state, the more air that they push in one direction, the faster they will accelerate in the opposite. In addition, drones are packed with technology. At the heart of the drone is an on-board flight controller, which constantly monitors the aircraft’s attitude. Furthermore, the design and construction of the drone require some engineering knowledge. Finally, drones are made capable of flying because of mathematics: a proportional-integral-derivative control loop manipulates the way they behave in flight.”
Last September, Gulnac met drone professionals George Purdy, co-owner of Drones Services Hawaii, and Scot Refsland of RotorSports while they were scouting out a location for the 2016 Drone Worlds competition. Recently, Refsland invited Gulnac to participate in the August Drone Nationals’ freestyle event in New York. Additionally, Drone Worlds will be held on Oahu, October 17-22. “This competition will be the ultimate showdown between the best pilots from around the world in both freestyle and racing divisions,” Gulnac noted.
To see Ethan pilot a drone and the maneuvers he pulls off is mind-blowing. He does maneuvers like the ones in movies like Star Wars. Everyone should try to see him compete on Oahu in October.
George Purdy, co-owner of Drones Services Hawaii
