About 60 Hawaiʻi Island Girl Scouts learned about careers in astronomy and conservation on Maunakea. On November 10, members of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship (CMS) participated in the Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi STEM Fest at Aunty Sally’s Lūʻau Hale in Hilo to encourage young women to pursue college degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related fields.
CMS employee Krystal Schlechter, who coordinates stargazing on Maunakea, combined forces with Maunakea Ranger Blair Southworth to coordinate a hands-on activity for the Girl Scouts on the life cycle of a star. Anuhea Robins is on CMS’ conservation and resource management team and shared her expertise on native species on the mauna and the work she does to protect the rare wēkiu bug found there.
- Related UH News story: More than seven-fold increase in wēkiu bug survey on Maunakea, October 31, 2021
“Maunakea is a very special place and there are many opportunities to get involved,” said Ian Kaleoʻokalani Pilago, an education and outreach coordinator at CMS. “There are different college degrees and careers available for individuals who are interested and motivated to help in the protection and stewardship of the valuable cultural and natural resources that exist on the mauna.”
Event organizers were impressed with the excitement the scouts shared about CMS’ activities and invited the staff to come back to present in 2024.
