Waipahu students win telescope time through Maunakea Scholars Program

Waipahu High Maunakea Scholars participants with Doug Simons and Mary Beth Laychak (CFHT)

Link to video and sound: https://bit.ly/367ac5s

Astronomy haumāna (students) at Waipahu High School were commended for their research efforts and rewarded with observation time at some of Hawaiʻi’s leading telescopes. The Maunakea Observatories announced four haumāna will be given time to utilize a telescope on Maunakea or Haleakalā to conduct astronomical research that supports their submitted proposals. This is the fifth time since the program’s inception in 2015 that student proposals from Waipahu High School have been awarded. Throughout the history of the program, Maunakea Scholars has worked with more than 600 haumāna statewide.

“In the field of space and astronomy, it’s a huge huge huge field,” said Emily Phanphongsa, a senior at Waipahu High School. “I was very shocked at just being able to do the research about such large things and like the larger aspect of what the galaxy has to offer.”

The students were selected by a time allocation committee comprised of professional astronomers. Mentors from the University of Hawai‘i’s Institute for Astronomy worked with haumāma for months, analyzing data and preparing professional-style research proposals. The student observers were selected based on viability, creativity and potential.

Waipahu High School students with winning proposals:

• Casey Alhambra was awarded observing time with the National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope for his proposal “The Sun’s Wild Side.” 

• Troy Mendoza was awarded observing time with the Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope (CFHT) using the Megacam and WirCam instruments for his proposal “Barnard 68, The Bootes Void Imposter.”

• Laureen Coleto was awarded observing time with the CFHT using the instrument SPIRou for her proposal  “Determining Minor Gases of the Cat’s Eye Nebula.”  

• Redgy Salanio was awarded observing time with the CFHT using the instrument ESPaDOnS for his proposal “The Bright Star WR140.”

Designed to bring Hawai‘i’s high schoolers into one of the world’s most advanced observatory communities, Maunakea Scholars helps aspiring astronomers envision their potential of pursuing a career in STEM-related fields. It is the first program of its kind internationally to allocate observing time at major observatories for the direct educational advancement of students. To qualify, students in participating schools must conduct astronomical research and assemble a comprehensive proposal that can be conducted at an observatory. Selected proposals are then matched with graduate students from IfA and telescope staff to individually guide them through their research.

“Working with the Maunakea Scholars program opened doors for myself and my students that I never thought possible,” said Tessie Ford, a science teacher at Waipahu High School. “Watching our freshmen grow over the course of the year while working on their proposals has been so rewarding.”

The current Maunakea Scholars include students from seven local schools: Kalani High School, Kapolei High School, Waipahu High School on O‘ahu; Waiākea High School and Kealakehe High School on Hawai‘i Island; Moloka‘i High School; and Lāna‘i High School. The Maunakea Scholars Program works with education partners at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center and all the Maunakea Observatories facilities, Las Cumbres Observatory and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope. 

“Adding the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope observing time to the Maunakea Scholars program [this year] brings the Sun closer to Hawaiʻi students,” said Doug Simons, director of the UH Institute for Astronomy. “It is exceptional that a local student from Waipahu High School will be amongst the first to view the Sun’s activity with unprecedented resolution. Mahalo to the Inouye Solar Telescope team for making this possible.”  

Initiated by Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope and Gemini Observatory, and in partnership with the Maunakea Observatories and the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, Maunakea Scholars successfully launched in 2015 to bring Hawai‘i’s aspiring young astronomers into the observatory community.

VIDEO BROLL: (1:26)

Award Ceremony  

Waipahu students in astronomy/science class 

Wide shot: Maunakea telescopes 

SOUND:

Casey Alhambra/Freshman, Waipahu High School 

(:10) 

“One of my dreams is to become an astronomer soon. It’s been an incredible moment for me and it’s been so awesome.”

Emily Phanphongsa/Senior, Waipahu High School (last name pronounced: Fang-Fung-Suh) 

(:12) 

“In the field of space and astronomy it’s a huge huge huge field. And obviously I was very shocked at just being able to do the research about such large things and like the larger aspect of what the galaxy has to offer.”

Doug Simons/University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy, Director

(:15) 

“That is my vision, my dream to have Maunakea Scholars act as sort of a portal if you will, for local public high school students to find their way into the astronomy program at the University where we’re working on internship opportunities and ultimately get them into jobs.”

Tessie Ford/Science Teacher, Waipahu High School

(:16) 

“My hope for the students that participate in the Maunakea Scholars program is for them to get real life experience as if they were a scientist or an astronomer. And building those skills that they would need once they’re into college.”

Mary Beth Laychak/Canada France Hawaiʻi Telescope

(:18) 

“Maunakea Scholars is a student driven research opportunity for Hawaiʻi public high school students. The kids have the opportunity to research and write a proposal on any topic in astronomy that they’re interested in. Ultimately, they apply for telescope time on the Maunakea Observatories. These are the single most productive observatories on Earth.”