Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award Deadline Aug. 8

Last year’s Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award presentations at the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction: first place winner Sarah Jenkins accepted award on behalf of herself and her sister, Lily, of Moloka‘i High School; second place winners Amber “Momi” Afelin, Kea‘aokahonua Davis and Alexandria Simon of Molokai High School; and third place winners Jeremie Amano and Gabriel Rayburn of King Kekaulike High School. MEDB photo.

Maui Economic Development Board is accepting applications from Maui County students in grades six through 12 for the Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award. The deadline for submitting applications is Aug. 8, 2016.

This annual award is presented to a Maui County project team that demonstrates the most innovative use of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) tools and capabilities to serve and improve the community.

Applicants must demonstrate the best combination of technology with service learning for the benefit of Maui Nui.

STEMworks students are encouraged to apply, but applicants need not be in a STEMworks lab to be considered.

The winning project will be announced at “Pathways To Our Future,” the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner & Auction on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, at the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort.

Proceeds from this popular annual event will support MEDB’s continuing efforts to advance STEM education in Maui County, empower teachers and offer students access to the teaching, tools, and experiences that will prepare them for STEM careers.

MEDB, with the endorsement of Irene Hirano Inouye, established the Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award in 2013 to honor the late senator’s vision for Maui as an innovation center for the latest scientific and technological advances.

“This prestigious award celebrates innovation and the application of science and technology to solve challenges around us,” said Jeanne Unemori Skog, MEDB’s president and CEO. “There is an incredible creativity in our youth and we look forward to hearing about and seeing the projects again this year.”

Download an application here.

For more information, email [email protected] or call (808) 875-2341.