Head Start to Learning in Summer Program

Photo courtesy of 21st CCLC Molokai LIVE

21st CCLC Molokai LIVE News Release

More than 100 students on Molokai made the commitment to attend the Molokai LIVE MHS and UPLINK MMS Summer Program this year. Transitioning from elementary to middle school and eighth grade to high school can be daunting, but with support and surrounded by new friends they were up to the challenge. Students looking to get a head start in learning and preparing themselves for the new school year with a possible ½ elective credit attended classes in math, science, social studies, college and career readiness, video media, drama, cooking, VEX robotics, band and English.

Place-based learning took center stage in the Science Academy with a focus on intertidal pool studies and a field trip to the beach at Puko`o. Students also broadened their understanding of La`au Lapa`au, Hawaiian medicinal plants and healing practices as part of the Molokai Mana class which included a visit to Aina Pulapula and sharing from practitioner Bobby Alcain.

Students learned how to take their math skills to the next level with exciting online games, and classroom activities. They worked as a team to build robots in VEX Robotics, practiced cooperation in cooking class, and played as teams in the flag football, volleyball, and basketball classes. Students expressed themselves through creative writing, performing monologues in drama, videomaking, and through music by learning to play a trumpet, clarinet, violin or saxophone. “I thought the drama class was really good. I was able to practice writing poetry, acting in front of a camera, and singing,” said Keren Poole.

“I really liked the video media class. It was something new and different that I didn’t know about before,“ shared Pono Adolpho. For Mili Bicoy, the summer program was also about spending time with her classmates. “Classes are more interesting when kids get along and help each other,” she smiled, “new friends are fun!” Math and science were just as popular with students since they had the opportunity to meet the actual teachers they will have during the school year.

The program culminated with Spotlight Cafe, a gallery style celebration of student work, performances, and cooking, enjoyed by the students themselves as well as their families on the final day of the program. Mai Guerra found that the summer program was an opportunity to “learn more about myself and what I want to become in the future. Spotlight Cafe was an amazing way to share with everyone what we had accomplished.”

UPLINK and Molokai LIVE welcomes all of the middle and high school students to join our upcoming after school programs that promise the same opportunities for academic support, homework help, and enrichment classes. Look for the registration forms in your student’s school packets.