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 9, 2017 | Innovation, Stemworks
This summer, middle-school girls statewide had the opportunity to attend Excite Camp, a Women in Technology (WIT) program sponsored by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB). The mission of WIT is to encourage women and girls to pursue education and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in the state of Hawaii. Excite Camp focuses on today’s most in-demand career fields, combining lectures, hands-on activities, geospatial technologies and on-site tours.
“The last 17 years, Excite Camp has been held on Maui and open to all Maui County middle-school girls,” said Mapu Quitazol, WIT Program Manager. “Three years ago we went statewide, hosting camps on Oahu, Hawaii Island and Molokai, and this year on Kauai. The camp builds confidence and motivates our young ladies with STEM activities, teaching them that they can do anything they set their hearts on. Each island has the same agenda but very different activities and cultural site visits. For example, on Maui we visited Pacific Biodiesel Technologies which produces fuel from sunflowers, Hawaii’s largest biofuel crop project.”
The camp attendance has been kept to 24-30 girls to create a small, intimate group. Each participant joins a group of four and is led by a female mentor. The mentor, who acts as a role model, explains the activities and works with students, helping them feel comfortable in their surroundings. “At the end of the four-day program the girls are no longer strangers, but colleagues and friends,” said Excite Camp mentor Dominie Miyasato. “In addition to getting excited about STEM, they learn the value of teamwork, communication and honoring their island heritage.”
Gracie May Gomes, Lokelani Intermediate School 7th grader, said, “Excite Camp offered so many hands-on activities that forced me to be creative and problem-solve by thinking outside the box. I was so inspired to invent and create new things.” Gomes’ mom, Annie, agreed. “I can’t thank MEDB enough! Excite Camp provided a wonderful opportunity for my daughter and the other girls by revealing the STEM career opportunities available to them right here in Hawaii.”
Excite Camp is successful due to our great community partners who are willing to share their knowledge, time, and resources to come and teach our girls fun, hands-on STEM experiments.
Mapu Quitazol, MEDB WIT Program Manager
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 25, 2017 | Innovation
The University of Hawaii (UH) Educational Outreach Team and Maui Economic Development Board have long shared common goals for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. Recently, the UH-Manoa Physics Department hosted a group of four Maui High School students, Mary Chin, Princess Constantino, Laney Flanagan, and Bryce Jackman, at a Maui workshop to present their summer research findings on the effect of cosmic rays on the earth. With the help of their project mentor Dr. J. D. Armstrong, UH Institute for Astronomy (IfA), and their Maui High science teacher, Keith Imada, the students discussed possible correlations between galactic cosmic rays and solar activity to determine if a connection with global warming exists.
“The abundance of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) hitting our atmosphere is heavily affected by solar activity and its 11-year cycle,” said Dr. Armstrong. “We studied about what cosmic rays are, how the solar activity changed during the last couple of centuries, where radiation comes from, and why radiation protection is necessary.”
The four students each gave a presentation on their research, all relating to climate change on earth. “I discussed how more galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) appear when sunspot numbers are lower, when there is less solar activity,” said Flanagan. “It was so interesting to learn the origin and composition of cosmic rays and solar modulation.” Jackman presented his research about how GCRs do not seem to affect climate change through low cloud coverage. “I learned about the different ways that the GCR flux is measured and about the sun’s 11-year cycle,” he said.
“I loved how we got to use actual data and work through the problems with professors,” said Chin, who investigated the relation among GCRs, the number of sunspots, and global temperatures. Finally, Constantino talked about the relationship between global warming and solar energy reaching the upper atmosphere. The students will also submit their project findings to the 2016 Pacific Science Symposium.
The UH Physics professors gave talks and shared activities using data from an instrument mounted on the International Space Station to teach how protection from galactic cosmic rays is necessary for any NASA Mars mission.
Dr. J. D. Armstrong, Institute for Astronomy Educational Outreach
Nov 9, 2016 | Environment, Innovation
The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) is on schedule for full operations in June 2020. Situated at 10,000 feet of elevation atop Haleakala, the DKIST will be the most advanced ground-based solar observatory in the world. With more than 20 institutions collaborating internationally, it is about to revolutionize the world of solar astronomy. “We are pointing a four-meter (13 foot) telescope at the Sun for the very first time, which will challenge the science community to take their understanding to a whole new level,” said Dr. Thomas Rimmele, DKIST Project Director, National Solar Observatory (NSO). “When combined with a special adaptive optics system, the DKIST’s primary mirror will produce high-speed measurements to examine the Sun’s surface in stunning detail!”
The site on Haleakala was selected, out of a global search, for its clear daytime atmospheric seeing conditions. Once operational, the DKIST will allow astronomers to measure the magnetic fields that drive space weather events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. “Understanding the behavior of the Sun’s magnetic fields is vital,” Rimmele explained. “Monitoring space weather is essential as our society increasingly relies on electronics technology that is susceptible to damage from these large space events. DKIST will help us better deal with threats of outages.”
DKIST Project Manager Dr. Joseph McMullin of NSO provided the latest updates. “The external building has been completed, with the integration of major telescope systems underway. This includes the telescope mount assembly and the rotating instrument laboratory,” McMullin noted. “The optical systems, and the primary mirror, the most critical element of the telescope, have met their challenging, state-of-the-art specifications and are undergoing testing.”
DKIST’s open data policy will provide the general public access to unique data resources compiled by the best engineers and scientists in the world. “In fact, the DKIST will bring more jobs and educational outreach opportunities to Maui,” Rimmele added. “The scientific impact from the DKIST, for all of humanity, is immense. The entire global community will be looking to Maui for this extraordinary science!”
Permitting us to measure the magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere for the very first time, the DKIST will fill in many gaps of our knowledge of the Sun and its magnetic activities.
Dr. Thomas Rimmele, DKIST Project Director, National Solar Observatory
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
Sep 21, 2016 | Innovation
Sponsored by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), ‘Iolani Ku’oha, a Hawaiian Language Immersion Program (HLIP) teacher for ‘O Hina I ka Malama at Molokai Middle School, recently attended GenCyber Summer Camp on Kauai. The camp, which is funded jointly by the National Science Foundation and the National Security Agency, provides educators and students with the tools they need to be safe and responsible online. “Using current technologies through hands-on-activities, cyber security experts introduced the camp participants to the concept of digital citizenship and online safety information,” said Ku’oha. “With this new experience, I can help my students learn the basics of coding, another language form, and also reinforce their interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers.”
Through attending the Kauai GenCyber Camp, Ku’oha was invited to attend the Colorado GenCyber Camp held at the Denver Language School, a dual immersion language school teaching in Spanish and Cantonese. “This was a great opportunity for me to collaborate with other Immersion teachers and develop tutorial strategies in our specific language,” Ku’oha said. “I came away with a comprehensive set of lesson plans mapped to appropriate standards, which I will be using with my students; a starter kit in robotics, which I’ve already implemented in my classroom; and a network of like-minded Immersion teachers to share future ideas with.”
“I discovered Ozobots at camp,” Ku’oha explained. “This tiny toy robot blends the physical and digital worlds; and teaches programming. Ozobots can identify lines, colors, and codes on both digital surfaces, such as an iPad, and physical surfaces, such as paper. The tiny robots offer fun teaching methods for delivering cybersecurity content in K-12 computer science curriculum.”
Because of her summer experience in both camps, Ku’oha was chosen from among a few teachers in Hawaii and Colorado to attend an upcoming GenCyber program in Alaska. “I wouldn’t have these opportunities without the support of MEDB and Women in Technology,” she added. “I’m so grateful to them!”
The GenCyber program ensures that students understand correct and safe online behavior; especially as society becomes more reliant on cyber-based technology in every aspect of daily life.
‘Iolani Ku’oha, Molokai Middle School, HILP Teacher
Mar 3, 2016 | Education, Innovation
Maui girls in grades 7-8, accompanied by teachers, discovered the exciting and lucrative field of engineering during Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (IGED) on Thursday, February 25th, at Maui Research and Technology Park. In observance of National Engineers Week, Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology (WIT) program hosts the popular event to expose girls to the male-dominated field of engineering and encourage them to become engineers themselves. For the past 16 years, WIT has teamed up with the County of Maui, Maui Electric and local industrial firms to provide a day of hands-on activities and worksite visits. Along with raising awareness of the contribution engineers make to the community, IGED also introduces students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
According to WIT Project Manager Mapu Quitazol, women still represent less than 5% of engineers in Hawaii and studies predict there will be a further shortage of engineers in the next two decades. “Together, we can challenge those daunting statistics,” Quitazol said. “The sooner we get girls engaged in the field, the faster they can begin learning the skills to compete for these high-paying, in-demand jobs. In fact, Quitazol noted, “engineering is the number one job that parents should be encouraging their girls to pursue.”
Senior Project Engineer Fiona van Ammers from SSFM International, Inc., a Hawaii-based professional engineering business, advocates for participation in the WIT Program. “It is important to develop future leaders through community-based programs designed to address planning for Maui’s future,” she said. “IGED engages young women in meaningful events that add to their skill set and inspire them to choose a STEM career.” Fiona explains to students that civil engineering is about creating designs that improve and protect the environment and human lives. This is demonstrated by explanation of what work was required to complete the Maui Memorial Medical Center Helipad, for which Fiona was the civil engineer and project manager. For the past decade, WIT has been at the forefront of providing cutting-edge STEM programs across the islands to meet 21st century workforce demands.
WIT’s IGED program provides engineers and companies with a chance to make a difference in our environment, in our community and in our lives. I am thrilled to be a part of this event for young girls which helps develop future Maui leaders.
Fiona van Ammers, Senior Project Engineer, SSFM International, Inc.
Jan 6, 2016 | Education, Innovation, Stemworks
In celebration of Computer Science Education Week in December, Hour of Code, a nationwide campaign featuring free tutorials designed to get students interested in computer science, was held at Kamaliʻi Elementary School in Kihei. Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology Project (WIT) was a sponsor for the one-hour introduction. Children and adults were taught basic concepts of computer programming that offered them learning tools needed to create and communicate new ideas. “Hour of Code is an international movement to promote computer science education and call awareness to exciting 21st century career paths,” said Peter Hansen, Kamaliʻi School computer teacher. “Learning to code helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and originality. One hour is enough to learn that computer science is fun and creative, that it is accessible for all ages, for everyone.”
The tutorials teach a computer language called JavaScript which is designed to perform a certain task. By dragging and placing blocks of code in the computer program, the code tells the computer what to display on the screen. A JavaScript function is executed when something invokes it; hence students learn that all they see and do begins with lines of computer code. “I hope that through this event Kamaliʻi School’s technology program will receive some attention and parents and community members will begin to understand the importance of having computer science education for all students, even at the elementary level,” explained Hansen. Lucy Dryhurst, Kamaliʻi 5th grader said, “I learned through Hour of Code that by following directions on a game with a lot of thinking steps, I can write code. I like doing it a lot. It is fun and creative!”
“WIT is an extraordinary program,” Hansen noted. “They offered monetary support that made it possible to provide food and drinks for Hour of Code, not to mention donating the prizes and connecting us with volunteers.” In addition to this event, WIT provides professional educational opportunities for teachers and workshops for students, developing Maui’s future workforce.
On behalf of myself and Kamali’i School thank you very much, WIT, for your continuing support for Maui County teachers and students.
Peter Hansen, Kamaliʻi School Computer Teacher
