9th Hawaii STEM Conference attracts thousands; celebrates achievements

More than 1,000 students, educators, industry partners and community leaders throughout the state and the nation gathered for the ninth annual Hawaii STEM Conference April 10-11 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. The conference was presented by STEMworks, a statewide program spearheaded by Women in Technology, an initiative of the Maui Economic Development Board.

Students and teachers representing intermediate and high schools from islands across the state participated in this regional technology conference, which featured more than 61 hands-on student sessions, 25 teacher professional development sessions, 14 software competitions, an interactive STEMworks Playground offering over 77 mini STEM sessions, a formal awards banquet ("The STEMMYS"), a STEMworks Spotlight showcasing the STEM service learning projects by Hawaii STEMworks students statewide, and a 5×5 Session that provided students the opportunity to engage with five different STEM industry professionals in a speed networking format.

Those who attended the conference touted the impact STEM education and the annual conference continues to have.

"The best part of the Hawaii STEM Conference was meeting other teachers who are passionate about integrating STEM in their classrooms and helping our community in the process," said Ryan Towata, a teacher at Wailuku Elementary School.

"I enjoyed our opportunity to compete and the various learning opportunities presented during the conference," said Jennea Nagura, a senior at King Kekaulike High School. "I've never felt so engaged and excited to further my knowledge in technology."

Students also had the opportunity to participate in STEM competitions. This year's Hawaii STEM Conference winners from Maui County are:

• 3Cs High School Division -- Tiffany Banggo, Kawena Kekuewa, Jason Arrocena, Rustin Magliba (Maui High School).

• 3Cs Middle School Division -- Logan Tsukiyama, Hannah Okamoto, Sienna Racoma, Shairene Bayle (Maui Waena Intermediate School).

• ArcGIS Online U.S. School Competition (Hawaii finalists) -- Don Marco Hanaba, Josh Ooka and Nikki Ooka (Baldwin High School); Janine Harris and Emery Jade Meyer-Wallett (King Kekaulike High School).

• Music Competition -- Emma Rich (King Kekaulike).

• On-Site Video Competition -- Renzo Gaioran, Kai Kannel, Kailee Kalawa (Maui Waena).

• Photography Competition -- Kiley Kochi (King Kekaulike).

• Piper Design Challenge -- Niveen Bacalso, Victoria Teoh (Baldwin).

• T-Shirt Design Competition -- Logan Tsukiyama (Maui Waena).

"It's always rewarding to see and hear how this conference has touched lives by empowering our youth," said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB president and CEO. "Whether they choose to pursue a STEM career or other field, experiences during this conference will encourage them to be self-directed learners, to be resilient, to stay current and be adaptive to change. Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all those who made this event possible -- our event's sponsors, industrial professionals, participating students and teachers, volunteers and our dedicated MEDB staff."

For more information on the 2018 Hawaii STEM Conference, visit www.HawaiiSTEMConference.org or contact Isla Young, MEDB's director of STEM Education and Workforce Development, at isla@medb.org or 875-2300.