Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) STEMworks program has announced that its 17th Annual Hawaiʻi STEM Conference will be taking place at the Sheraton Waikīkī on April 15-16, 2026. The education and professional development event serves hundreds of middle and high school students and K-12 teachers each year from all across the state, providing participants with a fun and immersive STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning environment and opportunities to connect with Hawaiʻi-based STEM experts and industry leaders. 

Like paddlers in a waʻa (canoe) navigating uncertain waters, this year’s conference theme, “Navigating Change,” encourages students to look inward to discover their unique strengths and passions to contribute meaningfully to their communities. In times of change, each student’s talents become essential pieces for a larger collective journey, requiring both self-reflection and collaborative action. STEMworks seeks to help students understand their own role and work in unison with others so that they can steer toward a brighter future for Hawaiʻi. Through hands-on sessions led by professionals in fields including healthcare, engineering, computer science, entrepreneurship, and agriculture, the conference is STEMworks’ largest career awareness and professional development event of the year. 

Middle and high school students interested in growing their STEM skills and learning more about STEM career pathways are encouraged to collaborate with a teacher from their school to register and attend as part of a student group or to register individually. K-12 teachers are also invited to register; it is not required that teachers attend with students, and a variety of teachers-only breakout sessions will be offered throughout the event.  

STEMworks is also seeking STEM industry professionals and academics to lead one-hour breakout sessions for small groups of students during the conference. Designed to provide students with hands-on experience and skill-building, breakout sessions are a space for industry experts to share their enthusiasm and knowledge about their chosen education and career pathways. These sessions also give industry guest speakers a chance to recruit more advanced students for employment and educational opportunities, like internships and academic programs. 

For more information about the Hawaiʻi STEM Conference and how to get involved, visit https://www.hawaiistemconference.org/.