“STEAM” Grant Awarded to Maui Preparatory Academy

Maui Prep Academy STEM grant photo courtesy Jenny Worth.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Preparatory Academy announced the receipt of a $5,000 grant from the Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation for a program focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

While many programs across the state have embraced a “STEM” curriculum, Maui Preparatory’s program adds the arts element, creating the island’s first “STEAM” inspired curriculum for both middle and high school students.

School administrators say the campus will use the funds for the purchase of materials and equipment, and will help to establish the school, “at the forefront of what is a transformative educational movement.”

Programs at the school that support the STEAM curriculum include robotics, digitally enabled astronomy, 3-dimensional programming, and participation in the state Science Olympiad competition.

“We are honored to accept this support and recognition from the Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation,” said Jonathan Silver, Head of School in a campus press release. “It is our goal, with the help of the Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation grant, to offer the critical integration of the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics with the creative arts disciplines.”

Maui Preparatory Academy opened its doors in 2005 with 37 students, and has since grown to nearly 200 students ranging from preschoolers to high school seniors.  The campus is located in the West Maui Community of Nāpili in the hills above the Nāpili Market and Fire Station.