MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund Awards STEM Grants

Robotics is just one of the many STEM education programs supported by the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund and the MEDB Women in Technology program. This year, 10 schools received grants from the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund to advance their robotics activities. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Economic Development Board announced the recipients of its Ke Alahele Education Fund.

The grants totaled more than $133,000, and were distributed during the 2014-15 school year in amounts ranging from approximately $1,000 to $5,000.

The funding supplements the extensive work of MEDB’s Women in Technology program that create innovative pathways to STEM careers.

“We are grateful to the many businesses and individuals who contribute to the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund, and make these grants possible and invest in our future,” said Todd Lawson, MEDB’s Education Committee chair and vice president of Pacific Operations for 2c4 Technologies.  “The projects we funded really reflected great creative and inspiring concepts in how to expand science, technology, engineering and math skills in our students.”

Ke Alahele Education Fund Distribution

• Setting up a digital media lab at St. Anthony High School;
• Newscast training and digital media development at Maui Waena Intermediate School;
• Enabling Maui High School digital media students to compete at the National Student TV Network Convention;
• Equipment and apps to encourage healthy eating and active lifestyles at Kīhei Charter School;
• An Engineering is Elementary curriculum at Kamaliʻi Elementary School;
• After-school STEM engagement workshops at Montessori School of Maui;
• Participation of Maui Schools Science Fair winners at state-level competition;
• Upgrading the computer lab at Kīhei Charter School;
• Equipment to enable Wailuku Roselani 4H students to map Maui’s coral reefs;
• Supporting the participation of King Kekaulike High School students in the Hawaiʻi STEM Conference;
• Developing the Maui Mini-HI STAR program at the UH Institute for Astronomy;
• Equipment to enable an Industry Online Film Series at Hui Mālama Learning Center;
• Extending the Akakū Project YBEAM to Molokaʻi;
• Participation of Maui County students in the Hiki No project on PBS Hawaiʻi;
• Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award to the King Kekaulike High School’s STEM lab and student A.J. Ramelb for his product that enabled special education students to paint in art classes;
• Robotics programs at 11 schools, including:
  • Baldwin High School
  • King Kekaulike High School
  • Lahainaluna High School
  • Lokelani Intermediate School
  • Maui High School
  • Maui Preparatory Academy
  • Maui Waena Intermediate School
  • Molokaʻi Middle School
  • Pomaikai Elementary
  • Pukalani Elementary School
  • St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School

“Pathways to our Future,” the annual event that benefits the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund, will be held on August 29 at The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information about the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund, and the benefit dinner and auction on August 29, call 875-2300 or go online.