Molokai Represented at State STEM Conference

Molokai Middle & High Immersion and Non Immersion school STEMworks students and their teachers Iolani Kuoha, Mahina Hou Ross, Kaeo and Kahoʻiwai Kawaa joined 300 students across the state at this year’s Hawaii STEM Conference held at the Wailea Marriott Resort on May 2-3. One of the highlights included the opportunity to talk story with the Hokule`a crew that will be traveling the world. Both Molokai Immersion teachers are a part of the Hokule`a teacher program.

MEDB News Release

The fifth annual Hawaii STEM Conference was held on Maui on May 2-3, bringing together over local students, educators and industry professionals with some of the most innovative technology companies in the world. This year, 300 students representing 30 intermediate and high schools across the islands participated,including Molokai Middle and High Hawaiian Immersion school STEMworks students.

Since it began in 2009, the Hawaii STEM Conference has grown in popularity and star quality.  The event continues to attract national partners and sponsorships from top tech companies like Google and National Geographic Society, as well as Apple for Education, SketchUp, Chevron and ESRI.

Sponsored by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB)’s Women in Technology Project, the statewide event allowed students to have firsthand exposure to the advanced in-demand technologies, the latest software training, and real world challenges in the form of fun, hands-on team competitions.

Kicking off the event on Friday, a timed, high-energy mixer gave students the opportunity to engage five different industry professionals every five minutes to learn about career pathways, personal experiences and insights.

Throughout the two days, 26 student breakout sessions were offered, led by education teams from Google and National Geographic Education, as well as industry presenters from EPSCoR, Air Force Research Laboratory, 3D Innovations, University of Hawaii-Maui College, Searider Productions, 3D Innovations, Goma Games and many more.  There were also professional development designed just for teachers to motivate and increase STEM learning in the classroom.

The sessions ranged in topics from Google Earth and cool mapping resources to augmented reality, canoe design, game and web design, 3D CAD and outdoor GPS/GIS projects.

For more information on the Hawaii STEM Conference, contact WIT Program Director Isla Young, isla@medb.org, 808-250-2888.