PHILANTHROPY
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It’s All AboutYOU Innovation and Curiosity: Education’s New Building Blocks
Hawai‘i Island students discover the possibilities of technology and innovation, thanks to the generosity of the community.
When St. Joseph School seniors recognized the difficulty for wheel chair bound elderly to exercise, they invented a game using a Wii remote that has users “kicking” and “throwing” balls for exercise. Island middle schoolers discovered hydrology through hands-on experiments with The Kohala Center’s Kohala Watershed Partnership program, studying the water-saving capacity of moss in native forests. And across the island, teachers are spending part of their summer honing 21st
century learning techniques — mastering technology and bringing innovation to their classrooms. The common goal: learning environments that integrate technology, inspire curiosity, drive
project-based opportunities, and prepare students to tackle the challenges and professions of a global economy and new world. Last month, HCF announced the distribution of $725,000 to 23 Hawai‘i Island programs from HCF’s STEM Learning Partnership, a program launched in 2015 with initial funding from THINK (The Students participated in the Kohala Center’s Kohala Watershed Project through a grant from the STEM Learning Partnership at HCF.
Hawai‘i Island New Knowledge) Fund established by TMT, and additional support from nine other donors. Advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education brings these much“Participating in needed skills to students the program early, putting value on ignited a desire innovation, creativity, and teamwork. “Pooling and passion in resources around me to pursue this common goal a degree in supports schools and Ecosystem nonprofits developing Science and new approaches to Sustainability.” further learning,” said Lydia Clements, Director KaMele Sanchez, of Neighbor student
> Did you know: HCF invests in Hawai‘i’s youth and the future of Hawai‘i’s communities with programs and partnerships like the STEM Learning Partnership, the annual Schools of the Future Conference for education professionals, and Connecting for Success — a program that connects at-risk youth with mentors and advisors from throughout their community.
Learn how it’s about y ou at Hawai‘iCommunity F oundation.o r g
Islands at HCF, “so that our youth will succeed in the 21st century workforce.” For KaMele Sanchez, these programs have opened possibilities and nurtured dreams. “The Kohala Center’s program provided real, hands-on experiences and knowledge on how to improve Hawai‘i’s ecosystems and agriculture. Participating in the program ignited a desire and passion in me, and I’m now majoring in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability at Colorado State University.”