Kihei, Maui, Hawaii - The eleventh annual "Tech Careers: I Am The Future" will be held on October 23-24, 2008. Technology-based companies in the Maui Research and Technology Park will open their doors to approximately 60 high school students on the first day of this two day session. Day one will also include a panel of young Maui professionals with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) backgrounds in the "How I Got My Start" session and a hands-on engineering game. The second day will entail a rare opportunity to visit the Haleakala Observatories and Maui Space Surveillance System operated by the US Air Force.

As part of Maui Economic Development Board's ongoing workforce development initiatives, the goal for this event is to introduce students to career opportunities in STEM. Exposure to career options at the critical high school level enables students to make curricular and extracurricular choices that will help them prepare for these careers. The partners joining Maui Economic Development Board in this event include the County of Maui, Unites States Air Force, Akimeka, Boeing, Maui High Performance Computing Center, Oceanit, and many more.

"Tech Careers: I Am The Future" is open to all of Maui County's students. Transportation and accommodations for Hana, Molokai and Lanai students will be provided. Space is limited and some restrictions may apply. The deadline to register is October 6, 2008. For more information and to download the registration packet, please www.hightechmaui.com or contact (808) 875-2341.

The Maui Economic Development Board is a nonprofit organization chartered to strengthen and diversify Maui County's economic base. Over its 25-year history, the development of a high technology industry has been a priority in achieving its mission. MEDB administers the Women in Technology (WIT) Project which is designed to bring more females and underrepresented minorities into STEM education and careers. Tech Careers is funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County of Maui.

Over 55 students from Maui County middle schools got firsthand exposure to a wide range of science and technology fields at the 2008 Middle School Tech Careers: I Am the Future event held May 29-30.

This year’s participation reflects an impressive 45% increase over 2006's groundbreaking science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) awareness event targeted at younger students.

Participating middle schools included Iao, Kalama, Lahaina, Maui Waena, as well as Lanai and Molokai. Although priority was given to public schools, there were also one or two representatives from St. Anthony and Emmanuel Lutheran.

Sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the two-day sessions at the Maui Research & Technology Park are hosted by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB).  This program is part of its ongoing High Tech Maui initiative to give local 7th and 8th graders a better understanding of career opportunities in STEM.

"Receiving exposure early in their middle school years will help students make curricular and extracurricular choices that could help them in high school when they prepare for career study," said Jenilynne Salvador Gaskin, MEDB's Women in Technology Project Manager. "If they get turned on to high tech now, they may eventually choose math and science courses over other less technical courses."

The DOE-approved event is primarily intended for students who have not yet visited the Maui Research and Technology Park, or have not had any exposure to STEM careers.  Equal access is especially important for historically underrepresented groups such as females, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and disadvantaged students.

Day 1

Students began their Tech Careers day listening to a panel of young STEM professionals from the Maui High Performance Computing Center (MHPCC), Akimeka, Boeing, and Oceanit tell "How I Got My Start."

Then they participated in a series of interactive sessions at various high tech companies such as Akimeka, Boeing, Maui High Performance Computing Center, Monsanto, Oceanit, and the Pacific Disaster Center.

During the intense yet fun STEM activity, students took on the roles of scientists, technicians, and engineers. Teamwork and communication were stressed as the keys to success in both the learning exercises and the workplace.

Kawailehua Kuluhiwa, UH-Hilo Astronomy graduate, Native Hawaiian Consultant and currently a Scientist with Oceanit, gave students a fascinating history of science, technology, and engineering in Hawaii – discussing ways the early Polynesians used the natural sciences. Kawai ended the day with a presentation on "Polynesian Wayfinding" – how Hawaiians used the stars and nature’s elements to find their way.  She expresses the connection she feels between her culture and field of study – astronomy – the same science used by her Hawaiian ancestors.

Day 2

The second day was held at the summit of Haleakala, where students were treated to a rare visit to the University of Hawaii-Institute for Astronomy and the U.S. Air Force  - Detachment 15 Air Force Research Laboratory (AEOS) and Detachment 3 - 21st Operations Group (GEODSS).

During their ride to the summit, students viewed an inspiring video -- Haleakala: A Sense of Place that is part of the cultural sensitivity program for new employees at the Air Force facility.

The significance of sacred Haleakala to Native Hawaiians was also highlighted during Kawai's presentation the day prior.

For MEDB, the Air Force Research Laboratory and other site hosts, the tie-in between ancient Hawaiian culture to science and technology is important for Maui’s young people to understand and appreciate if they are to pursue STEM careers in Hawaii. 

In addition to bus transportation, MEDB provided overnight accommodations for Lanai and Molokai students.  Other sponsors included the US Department of Education and US Department of Agriculture.

The 11th annual Tech Careers: I Am The Future for high school students is scheduled for Fall 2008.

The 2nd "Tech Careers: I Am The Future" will be held on May 29 - 30, 2008. Technology-based companies in the Maui Research and Technology Park will open their doors to approximately 60 middle school students on the first day of this two day session. Day one will also include a panel of young Maui professionals with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) backgrounds in the "How I Got My Start" session and a hands-on engineering game. The second day will entail a rare opportunity to visit the Haleakala Observatories and Maui Space Surveillance System operated by the US Air Force.

As part of Maui Economic Development Board's ongoing workforce development initiatives, the goal for this event is to introduce students to career opportunities in STEM. Exposure to career options at the critical middle school level enables students to make curricular and extracurricular choices that will help them prepare for these careers. The partners joining Maui Economic Development Board in this event include Akimeka, Boeing, Maui High Performance Computing Center, Oceanit, Pacific Disaster Center, University of Hawaii - Institute for Astronomy, the U.S. Air Force -Detachment 15 Air Force Research Laboratory and more.

"Middle School Tech Careers: I Am The Future" is open to all of Maui County's students.