Math Day returns to inspire keiki on STEM

Last year's Math Day at the Mitchell Pau'ole Center featured lots of fun and educational activities. Photo by Linda Venenciano.

Our governors (both Lingle and Abercrombie) talk about the importance of STEM education, as does President Obama.

But on Molokai, it’s more than just talk. Here, the school and community leaders continue to prove their commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education with the second annual Molokai Math Day on Saturday.

It was a little over a year ago that Molokai launched its robotics program and recently sent three teams to the state’s sixth annual LEGO League Championships. On the high school level, both the Molokai A and B teams earned the Judges’ Rookie Award at the VEX Pan Pacific Championship in December.

On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mitchell Pau’ole Center, the community is invited to join the activities and see the kinds of STEM opportunities available to our keiki. A number of graduate students and faculty members will be on hand to guide the youngsters.

From 9-11 a.m., activities for high school students will be presented by UH-Manoa and San Francisco State University graduate students and faculty. Over 15 UH-Manoa math/engineering graduate students will be helping the keiki.

Then, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., will be activities for middle school and elementary school students. These will be presented by Aka Ula School students, Molokai High students, UH-Manoa and San Francisco State University graduate students and faculty.