Apr 1, 2015 | Education, Stemworks
Participation at a national student convention provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to be critical thinkers, effective communicators and ethical users of technology, according to Maui High School teacher Clint Gima. “By exposing our students to the world outside of Maui and to other teachers and students who are passionate about digital storytelling, our students will come back even more motived to work hard and become leaders in our classes,” Gima said. He and 14 Maui High students in grades 9 to 12 are attending the Student Television Network Convention this week in San Diego, California.
Veteran attendee Giel Marie Tolentino, a Maui High junior, described the convention as an “amazing experience” that gives her and her classmates a chance to meet aspiring broadcast journalists and storytellers. They expect they’ll be applying learned skills in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM. Maui High’s appearance at the convention is due, in part, to a grant from the Maui Economic Development Board’s Ke Alahele Education Fund. “I believe that it is important for the community to support schools in STEM education because it gives students hands-on experiences around the community,” Tolentino said. “STEM education also helps students find out what career they want to pursue in the future.”
The annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner has been set for August 29 at the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui Resort in Wailea. “If the community is concerned about having students who are not ready for college or careers, we need to continue to advance STEM programs because in addition to the traditional prescribed learning, students need opportunities to think for themselves, interact with professionals, develop their own learning, and work on real world problems,” Gima said. “In the high school setting, especially in the STEM classroom, students learn to work together, attack real-world problems, and work on projects where there is no one correct answer.” The Student Television Network Convention features a variety of on-site contests for students and networking for STEM teachers.
Nov 26, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
Lanai middle and high school students appear to have a fast-growing interest in science and technology following a STEM camp held on their home island. “I would say the STEM Camp and experience has opened our students’ eyes to something they haven’t seen or experienced before,” said Counselor Beth Conroy Humphrey of Lanai High and Elementary School. “It’s definitely got them interested.”
Approximately 20 elementary and middle school students attended a two-day event spotlighting science, technology, engineering and math. Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology Project organized the event earlier this fall in partnership with Lanai School. “It was great and it gave our students a new interest and skills in something they didn’t even know they had,” Humphrey said. Students engaged in breakout sessions that included lessons on drones, coding and programming, Website development and recycling sustainability. A STEM Family Night was incorporated into the event with parents and students participating in hands-on, learning-based activities such as Ice Cream Engineering, iPad ScratchJr Coding and Mobile Proscope. Airport firefighter George Purdy helped facilitate the session on drones while his wife, Stacey, participated in STEM Family Night and supported their two children at the camp.
Purdy said the opportunity to participate in a STEM Camp like the one in October was a rare occurrence for Lanai families. “There’s just not that many activities readily available for Lanai children,” Purdy said. The camp provided students a chance to apply their classroom lessons in science and math to the STEM activities provided at the camp. “It just took our students’ learning to a whole new level.” Humphrey said the STEM camp has been influential on teachers who are incorporating more STEM-related activities in their classrooms. The interest is so great that Humphrey is planning a STEM Day for middle school students and families in December. “The parents and the students are both wanting to be more involved and get more STEM opportunities. It’s quite exciting,” she said.
Sep 24, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
Pukalani Elementary School second-grade teacher Betty Brask found a great deal of inspiration and a renewed drive to teach science, technology, engineering and math while attending “Space in the Classroom” at the annual Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance (AMOS) technical conference. “It’s a fabulous opportunity,” she said. “Every teacher should attend. It will get you connected and so excited about STEM teaching.”
Among the program highlights was a “talk story” session with former NASA astronaut and International Space Station Commander Leroy Chiao, she said. “He gives you real life experiences that you can relate to. It was so inspiring,” Brask said. Sponsored by the Maui Economic Development Board, the four-day AMOS conference brought together scientists and experts in the fields of optics, imaging, space situational awareness, space weather and related specialties in astronomy to offer updates and assessments of current research. This year’s program for teachers focused on Earth science, Brask said, with attendees evaluating maps of the planet taken from space. Teachers from a variety of grade levels from across the island networked and engaged in activities including how to plot and track storms and how to categorize and assess damage.
Brask has been to at least three AMOS teacher workshops and has been an active participant in MEDB’s Women in Technology Project for more than a decade. Every time she returns from a workshop or training, Brask said she’s been able to incorporate new lessons into her classroom. This time around, Brask’s 2nd graders will be learning to track storms. “For kids, it’s going to be a blast. I’m sure of it,” she said. “Anytime you can get them doing hands-on learning with science, they’ll go crazy with it.” “Space in the Classroom,” co-sponsored by Space Foundation, consists of two main elements – one for students and the other for teachers. Three hundred Maui middle school students and nearly 30 island teachers took part in the full-day programs this year. The AMOS Conference is described as the premier technical conference in the nation devoted to space surveillance.
Sep 17, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
Da Kitchen part-owner Mariah Brown said her restaurant continues to thrive after partnering this summer on a STEMworks™ internship. “At first I just wasn’t sure about it,” Brown said. But since then, interns Renezel Lagran and Justin Jackson have proven to be “extremely helpful. They’re very talented and they’ve helped us to keep trendy and updated.”
The Women in Technology Project, a statewide workforce initiative at Maui Economic Development Board, placed about 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. The internship at Da Kitchen was unique in that the students worked for a restaurant, instead of a high-tech company. Still, they got a lot of practice with using high-tech technology in updating menus, logos, charity event posters and social media sites. “Da Kitchen is all about changing with the times. We like to work with the interns on keeping our look modern,” Brown said. “Our society and our business is very social media oriented,” Brown said. “We have to keep up with graphics, with Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.”
Lagran, a sophomore at Maui High School, called the STEMworks™ internship “one of the greatest experiences she’s ever had.” She said she helped to update restaurant menus, advertising pieces and business cards. As a result, Lagran said she’s built confidence in her work skills and has learned “that I’m able to do a lot of things if I put my mind to it.” She’s also discovered what she’d like to do after high school graduation. “I am determined to find myself a role in the marketing field whether it’s designing or even the mathematics aspect of it since I do like math.”
Aug 20, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
Programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math take center stage this week as Maui Economic Development Board rolls out its annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner & Auction. Hundreds of supporters are expected to raise money Saturday at the Grand Wailea Resort for innovative STEM programs in schools and communities on Maui, Molokai and Lanai. “We are grateful to our generous businesses and community stakeholders for rallying behind our young people’s passion and pursuit of STEM learning and careers,” MEDB President and CEO Jeanne Skog said.
Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui and his wife, Lyndelle, and Mayor Alan Arakawa and his wife, Ann, are the 2014 Distinguished Educators for the annual gathering. Tsutsui called the Ke Alahele dinner a worthwhile event that recognizes the need to support and expand STEM programs. “We are nurturing budding scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who will create new ideas, new products and new industries,” he said. “The ability to understand and use STEM facts, principles and techniques are skills that can enhance an individual’s ability to succeed in school and beyond in a wide array of disciplines.”
In the most recent school year, the Ke Alahele Education Fund awarded nearly $175,000 to support robotics team competition locally, statewide and nationally; equipped digital media labs and engineering programs with updated tools, software and training; and organized the annual Science Olympiad. This year’s dinner will also feature the presentation of the annual Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award. It’s given in honor of the late U.S. senator’s vision for Maui as an innovative center for scientific and technological advances. The student team will be recognized for innovative use of STEM tools and capabilities to serve and improve the community. Donations for the education fund are still being accepted. Call 875-2300, or visit www.medb.org
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.
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
Apr 23, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
Sadie Mossman holds a perfect attendance record at the Hawaii Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Conference presented by Maui Economic Development Board. “MEDB always brings in great resources at the conference and I come away every year learning something,” said Mossman, a 13-year teaching veteran from King Kekaulike High School.
For the fifth consecutive year, the STEM conference is expected to draw hundreds of students statewide to Maui to celebrate STEM learning projects and connect with others who share their interests in science and technology, math and engineering. Experts from innovative companies such as Google and National Geographic provide hands-on STEM lessons and help conference participants apply their STEM skills in competitions. Professional development workshops for teachers are also offered at the conference. A limited number of spots are still open for the first day of the conference – May 2nd from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Wailea Marriott Resort & Spa. Cost is $20 per teacher and includes lunch. The online registration link is: http://stemconference2014.eventbrite.com. Contact Lesley Bristol at bristol@medb.org or call 875-2332.
Mossman, who teaches biology and bio-technology to 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders, said the annual conference has challenged her and her students to approach lessons in science, math and technology in ways they’ve never done. “For me in science, it’s helped me get comfortable with the Internet and the different resources and teaching tools available,” she said.
“It also helps to create a bridge between what my students want to do and what resources are available.” Mossman said she appreciates the opportunity to connect with experts in the science and technology field as well as teaching peers from around the state. “MEDB and the STEM conference really provide an opportunity for teachers to create connections and collaborate,” she said.
Participation at a national student convention provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to be critical thinkers, effective communicators and ethical users of technology, according to Maui High School teacher Clint Gima. “By exposing our students to the world outside of Maui and to other teachers and students who are passionate about digital storytelling, our students will come back even more motived to work hard and become leaders in our classes,” Gima said. He and 14 Maui High students in grades 9 to 12 are attending the Student Television Network Convention this week in San Diego, California.
