Jul 30, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
Excite Camp Mentor Racieli Andrada has learned a lot about herself while serving as a mentor during the Maui Economic Development Board Women in Technology Project Excite Camp. “I learned that I have the ability to lead a group and have the patience to teach others,” said Andrada, an 18-year-old Maui High graduate. “It’s important to know how much I can handle and be aware of my capabilities when working with students and peers.”
As a mentor, Andrada helped speakers as they gave presentations during one of the summer camps. She took charge of teaching girls how to use iMovie to create a video about their experience at Excite Camp. “I loved watching their videos and seeing how much they enjoyed their experience and how they were excited to join the STEMworks™ programs,” Andrada said.
It wasn’t all easy, she observed. “The challenges that I faced were teaching girls who were about three years younger,” she said. “It was difficult to calm them down because they were always eager to learn more, but they always looked to do more even though they were in the middle of a workshop.” Andrada also learned what it takes to be an effective mentor. “It’s important to connect with students being mentored and understand their strengths and weaknesses to be able to help them become a better person,” she said.
Mentors “have a huge impact on the younger people because they become more comfortable when learning, and they are able to hear first-hand experiences from their mentors,” Andrada said.
Begun in 2000, Excite Camp’s mission is to create awareness and motivate 7th- and 8th-grade girls — especially those in under-represented minorities — to aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM. In 14 years, more than 300 girls from around the county have participated in the event. Excite Camp is sponsored by MEDB’s Women in Technology Project, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii – Institute for Astronomy, U.S. Air Force and the Maui Research & Technology Park tenants. It is funded in part by the County of Maui, the Air Force Research Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Jul 23, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
As summer draws to an end, college-bound freshman Phyllis Raquinio said she’s learned to be more patient and grateful for the experience to work as a professional. “The STEMworks™ internship helped me learn about being professional around the people I work with and taught me to keep up to date with technology for my future profession,” Raquinio said, referring to the internship coordinated by Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology Project. For Wyman Tong, his internship at ArdentMC was challenging and yet met his expectations. “This is my second year doing the STEMworks™ internship, and I have enjoyed them both,” he said.
In total, the Women in Technology Project, a statewide workforce initiative at MEDB, placed 30 students in a variety of six-week internships throughout the state. 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 the real-world job experience, knowledge and skills they’ll need when they join the 21st century workforce. Raquinio, a 17-year-old Maui High School graduate, worked from home and met with her mentors on a weekly basis. Paired with Pedego Maui, which has sites at the Lahaina Gateway and the Kahana Gateway Shopping Center, Raquinio was assigned to “renovate” the electric bike tour company’s blog, create a Facebook page and create and edit videos. “The STEMworks™ internship contributed to honing my skills,” she said, adding that she learned new and innovative ways of using technology for communication.
Tong, who’s enrolling at the University of Hawaii Maui College this fall, said his internship gave him the first-time experience with programming work and insight into what software engineers do. “Even if an internship is not what you expect or does not fit your interests, you still get to spend time with very important people who can share their experiences and opinions with you,” he said. MEDB’s WIT project has been building STEM internships for 15 years, placing both high school and college students on all islands across the state ranging from the Pearl Harbor Shipyards to restoring fishponds and native vegetation on Molokai.
Jul 16, 2014 | Education
In reflecting on how young people are encouraged to tell stories in Akaku’s Youth Broadband Education and Awareness Mentoring program, Akaku Education Director Kat Tracy pointed to the Apple computer company founder and visionary Steve Jobs. Jobs “envisioned putting the tools to create stories on devices that we carry with us, in essence, to democratize the media,” she said. “Pew Reports indicate that up to 89 percent of the public own smart devices with video capability, outnumbering ownership of desktop computers. That is how we are encouraged to use the technology to tell stories, by owning it. But, owning it alone won’t be enough, we need training on how to effectively, and responsibly, use those tools.”
Tracy said STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) “embraces technology, and in video what sits between your idea or message is technology. It is the bridge you must cross to share your story.” Akaku’s youth education and mentoring program received a grant from the Maui Economic Development Board’s Ke Alahele Education Fund. “MEDB demonstrates a true intention of supporting STEM education and training for Maui Nui youth through support of numerous innovative initiatives. I feel like we stand among giants! This support also enables us to be good community partners, as well as create new ones.”
Tracy said the grant was instrumental in allowing Akaku to expand its mobile journalism program, Project YBEAM, to Molokai through purchase of additional equipment and support for curriculum training of its part-time Molokai educational coordinator. “Seeing the launch projects there and the enthusiasm from the youth and public there really solidifies that this expansion will be well served,” she said. Tracy said Akaku’s students continue to speak about learning how to interview people for stories and how that builds their self-confidence. MEDB established the Ke Alahele Education Fund to power up STEM Education in Maui County. This year’s Ke Alahele Education Dinner and Auction will be held Aug. 23 at the Grand Wailea Resort. For more information, call 875-2300, or visit www.medb.org
Jul 9, 2014 | Education
HNu Photonics is reinforcing its growing reputation as a leading high technology company in Hawaii. Recently, the Maui-based company was selected by the Biotech International Organization for its “Buzz of BIO” Award for “Technologies of Tomorrow.” HNu received 1,921 online votes en route to winning the award for its cutting-edge technology designed for use aboard the International Space Station, according to Dan O’Connell, the CEO of HNu Photonics. O’Connell said the “Buzz of BIO” award is a testament to the tremendous support his company receives from Maui’s business and technology community.
“This award is a demonstration of Hawaii’s commitment to community and partnership,” he said. “This award is a win for all of us, and we hope to bring attention to Hawaii.” In 2013, the HNu-nanoPOINT Division exhibited its patented microfluidic system in the state-supported Hawaii Pavilion at the BIO conference in Chicago. Executives from the Center for Advancement of Science in Space “were overwhelmed by the capabilities of our technology and discussions ensued,” he said. “CASIS is NASA’s sole manager of the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory. The mission of CASIS is to maximize use of this unparalleled platform for innovation, which can benefit all humankind and inspire a new generation to look to the stars.”
HNu-nanoPOINT was eventually selected to deliver two fully space-ready microfluidic systems to NASA – one for deployment aboard the International Space Station and the other for astronaut training, he said. Designed with stem-cell studies in mind, the microfluidics system is “a multipurpose in-vivo platform, where cell maintenance and reagent delivery are automated and cells imaged with varying time-course options viewed remotely through a wireless connection at the researchers’ convenience.” Calling it a “laboratory-on-a-chip platform,” O’Connell said it “incorporates the size and durability characteristics that make it ideal for space-based deployments such as onboard the International Space Station. Its miniaturized and automated sub-components … are uniquely designed for space-based applications and are capable of many other biological analyses in microgravity conditions in addition to stem cell research.” HNu has a long-standing relationship with MEDB, covering a broad spectrum of entrepreneurial ventures and renewable energy projects. Most recently, Hnu is responsible for the design and installation of another photovoltaic system at MEDB’s center.
Jul 2, 2014 | Education
Driven by her love for math and desire to give back to the community, 17-year-old Jasmine Doan founded the Maui Math Circle. She completed the first year of the project with the support of Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology Project; her school, Seabury Hall; and the new Puu Kukui Elementary School in Wailuku, where the community service program is held. It works like this: Middle and high school students like Doan and her peers get together once a month to teach advanced math concepts and problem solving skills to 3rd, 4th- and 5th-graders during after-school hours. There are as many as 15 volunteers matched up with 50 to 75 younger students.
Doan describes the project as a math enrichment, not a tutoring session. “It’s supposed to be for students who really want to learn more about advanced math. We try to make it fun and encourage the students to be creative in how they approach math,” she said. Doan has long enjoyed math, having finished Advanced Placement Calculus in the 6th grade. She hopes to work either as a computer science engineer or an entrepreneur, like her parents, Jason and Shirley Doan of Kahului. “I just love math. I think a lot of people don’t see that math is such a creative process,” she said. “I like how it’s kind of like a puzzle.”
Heading into her senior year, Doan serves as a competitor and coach for middle and high school-aged students in a variety of math competitions. As captain of her school’s math team, Doan spearheaded a win in state competition this past May. Maui Math Circle is on summer break and will return in September when Doan will serve on an advisory board with the goal of continuing the project even after she leaves the island for college.
For more information, visit: https://www.sites.google.com/site/mauimathcircle808/home or https://www.facebook.com/MauiMathCircle
Jun 11, 2014 | Education
A Ke Alahele Education Fund grant for Montessori School of Maui was intended to support its engineering and robotics programs plus help provide a practical learning environment for students to enhance their skills in science, technology, engineering and math or STEM. But it went beyond that, according to Thomas Daubert, the school’s director of development. “In its first year, our after-school Robotics and Engineering studios have provided a fun learning environment for up to 16 students each session,” he said. “The students came away with increased skill development and a new way to perceive themselves and the physical world around them,” Daubert said.
At Montessori, students work in teams to learn the mechanics of simple machines, basic electronic circuits, polarity, magnetism and more. Jason Verkaart, the Robotics studio coordinator, is also a parent of a student at the school. Each session culminates in a fun competitive race or game using the vehicles and systems constructed throughout a course. “Our students have become very excited about seeing the physical application of math, engineering and science coursework and have personally experienced the enthusiasm of a parent working within his profession,” Daubert said.
Daubert said the program was a good fit for a Montessori school with its strong emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning. “As a Montessori school, on a daily basis, we work to develop the interests of each unique student through practical collaborative work, which is the basis for a successful Robotics program. This is a great fit for our school, and we look forward to finding even greater connective points between this after-school studio and our core curriculum activities in the coming year.” MEDB established the Ke Alahele Education Fund to power up STEM Education in Maui County. This year’s Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner and Auction will be held Aug. 23 at the Grand Wailea Resort. Call 875-2300, or www.medb.org
May 14, 2014 | Education
Kualapu’u School teacher Susan Forbes began her Ke Alahele Education Fund grant project with a goal – field a competitive robotics team. It was a building year at the Molokai K-6 charter school and this year the students were not ready to compete. The hope is that soon the returning students will have enough foundational knowledge to handle the robotics materials and that program hours can be expanded to give students enough time to complete their projects, Forbes said.
While she was unable to immediately field a competitive robotics team, Forbes was able to adapt how she trains the students. “I no longer ‘train’ the students individually,” she said. “Instead, I train one student at a time, with the expectation that the student will go on to train another student and so on. This works well and results in students becoming better listeners and observers during the initial teaching,” Forbes explained. All the team members, except two, were exposed to robotics for the first time this school year, Forbes said. “At the end of the year, all participating students learned how to build, program and operate a robot. In addition, the problem-solving format of the challenges promoted perseverance, higher-order thinking, and teamwork – since difficult problems are best tasked out to groups. The students also learned “how to work with one another and to develop their own values and character,” Forbes said.
STEM education incorporates knowledge of science, math and technology with creativity in design and engineering, she said. And, by incorporating the components into one, “student engagement and learning are enhanced.” Forbes said schools should support education in science, technology, engineering and math “not only so that their students see the connection between problems, ideas and solutions/products, but also that their students are better prepared for the types of careers that await them.” MEDB established the Ke Alahele Education Fund to power up STEM Education in Maui County. This year’s Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner and Auction will be held August 23 at the Grand Wailea Resort. Call 875-2300, or go to www.medb.org.
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
Excite Camp Mentor Racieli Andrada has learned a lot about herself while serving as a mentor during the Maui Economic Development Board Women in Technology Project Excite Camp. “I learned that I have the ability to lead a group and have the patience to teach others,” said Andrada, an 18-year-old Maui High graduate. “It’s important to know how much I can handle and be aware of my capabilities when working with students and peers.”
