The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College hosted a free three-week summer STEM program, which saw participation nearly double from the previous year. One hundred fifty seven Maui middle school students engaged in hands-on learning across science, technology, engineering and math disciplines at the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program.
Students explored robotics, 3D printing, coding and virtual reality, culminating in final projects designed to address community needs. One group created a device to measure soil moisture and automate watering, aiming to assist local farmers. Another group utilized virtual reality (VR) to recreate historical Lahaina landmarks damaged in the 2023 wildfires, envisioning their work as a tool for cultural preservation and fundraising. Other projects included a medicine delivery service for remote areas and 3D-printed tools for traditional Hawaiian art forms.
“This year’s program truly showcased the incredible potential of our middle schoolers,” said Tara O’Neill, a project leader and UH Mānoa College of Education professor. “Seeing their innovative solutions, from agricultural tech to cultural preservation through VR, reinforced the importance of providing these hands-on STEM opportunities.”
Technology, community, recovery
This year’s camp was supported by a National Science Foundation RAPID grant, co-led by principal investigator O’Neill, and co-principal investigator and UH Maui College Assistant Professor Thomas Blamey. The grant specifically supported the development of trauma-informed STEM learning environments. A major shift in the curriculum this year, developed in collaboration with year 1 instructors, applied a trauma-informed and STEMS^2 (science, technology, engineering and math with the social sciences and sense of place) lens. This approach emphasized using technology as a tool to address real-world community challenges, and provided students the freedom and support to explore solutions most relevant to them and their community.
Mentors, including UH System faculty and students, guided participants through the immersive experience. The program blended cutting-edge STEM education with daily Hawaiian cultural practices, starting each morning with a traditional oli (chant). It also provided transportation for West Maui students, ensuring broader access to the UH Maui College campus.
“This program powerfully demonstrated that STEM extends beyond just technology; it’s deeply rooted in our community, especially as we focus on Maui’s recovery,” Blamey said. “Seeing our students apply their skills to real-world challenges, including those related to the wildfires, truly highlights their connection to our island home.”
First launched on Kauaʻi in 2021, the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program has expanded its reach, offering camps for middle schoolers on Oʻahu, Maui, and beginning this year, on Hawaiʻi Island. Statewide participation this year reached approximately 300 students.
“The Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program provides our youth with exposure to technology applications that they will be using both while continuing their education and into their careers,” said Dirk Soma, a professor at Kauaʻi Community College and the Hawaiʻi director of the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers program. “We are so grateful to partner with Verizon, the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, and leadership at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College to make this program available to Maui’s community!”
