More than 20 high school interns in a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Engineering summer program got a practical look at engineering careers that help support the U.S. Navy’s operations in the Pacific.
The visit in June 2025 to the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility was part of the Junior Engineers Summer STEM Experience (JESSE) program—a six-week initiative that allows local high school students to explore science, technology, engineering and math fields while earning college credit. The program introduces the students to hands-on projects and research, while helping them connect with UH Mānoa’s College of Engineering and easing their transition to college life.
“Our JESSE interns get to see the opportunities available to them right here at home, the strong partnership we have with the shipyard, and the incredible career growth possible through engineering,” said Kim Perez Hults, director of marketing and outreach relations for the College of Engineering.
“I learned about the dry dock system and how they cool the submarines that are in there,” said Leonard Cheung, a Kaiser High School student. “The site visits have opened my eyes to the different career opportunities there are for me locally.”
Troubleshooting challenges, behind-the-scenes tour
The day began with an overview in the shipyard’s iLAB Collaboration Room, where students learned about the shipyard’s mission, workforce needs and career opportunities, including Department of Defense-funded programs. Students teamed up with shipyard engineers to solve real-world challenges, such as electrical troubleshooting and cooling system repairs.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the kinds of questions and answers the students gave,” said Matt Cook, an engineer at Pearl Harbor, who also teaches a nuclear energy course through the shipyard’s educational partnership agreement with UH Mānoa. “I expected to guide them more through the problem, but that wasn’t the case at all. Their answers were thoughtful, and one even asked a question I hadn’t considered myself. I hope what they took away is the importance of asking questions and challenging assumptions, including their own.”
UH Mānoa partnered with the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility to coordinate the JESSE visit as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen STEM outreach and workforce development.
For more information on the JESSE program, visit the College of Engineering website.
