Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Excite Camp 2004: An Updated Look at Integrating Science and Native Hawaiian Tradition

Leslie Wilkins, Jenilynne Gaskin, Sheryl Hom, Christine L. Andrews Maui Economic Development Board/Women in Technology Project

Background

Launched in 1999, the Maui-based Women in Technology Project (WIT) is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor as a workforce development project. Its mission is to encourage women and girls to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the state of Hawaii. WIT has been successful at creating systemic change by working directly with educators and employers to make them aware of the return on investment of recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive skilled technical workforce.

In 2001, WIT approached the U.S. Air Force on Maui to allow student access to its classified asset the Maui Space Surveillance Complex and to partner in an educational outreach program designed to engage native Hawaiian middle school girls in STEM education and careers on Maui. The partnership also involved Kamehameha Schools, a private school funded by the Estate of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop to fulfill her desire to create educational opportunities in perpetuity to improve the capability and well being of people of Hawaiian ancestry. Kamehameha Schools provided some seed funding for the project, WIT led the program development including gender equity principles and minority outreach, and the U.S. Air Force offered students the opportunity to visit the Maui Space Surveillance Complex, as well as technical and program development assistance.

The first Excite Camp was held August 1-3, 2001. The three-day event was designed to serve as a model for integrating the scientific traditions of indigenous peoples into current science education. The goals were: To provide a venue for WIT to reach middle school girls of native Hawaiian ancestry and other ethnic minorities in Hawaii To develop a model workshop/curricular program integrating hands-on math and science learning with exposure to science and technology positions on Maui that will “excite” middle school girls into pursuing careers in these fields To provide an opportunity for the U.S. Air Force and growing Maui-based technology companies to share their technology and research with Maui students as part of an integrated education program that demonstrates the relevance of science and technology in the community To maximize the impact of this program initiative while achieving cost and time effectiveness for the various partners

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Wilkins, L. (2005, June), Native Hawaiian Girls "Excited" About Science Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--14891