Monsanto Hawaiʻi Science Education Fund Grant Applications Now Being Accepted

Dr. Kauwe (pictured on right) with two of his students. Photo credit: Mark A. Philbrick/BYU Photo. Through the efforts of Molokai High School alumnus and BYU Associate Professor John S. K. Kauwe, Ph.D., together with a $20,000 educational grant from the philanthropic Monsanto Fund, Molokai High students will enhance their education in genetics and the scientific research process, aided by new science lab equipment at the school and summer internships at BYU.

Applications are now being accepted for the Monsanto Hawaiʻi Science Education Fund. This Monsanto Fund grant program is open to public schools serving students at the intermediate, high school and college grade levels on the islands of Oʻahu, Maui and Molokaʻi.

Established in 2005, company representatives say the Fund helps provide Hawaiʻi public schools with programs, tools, supplies and equipment to enhance science education in the schools, and encourage today’s students to consider a future career in the sciences. To date, the program has awarded more than $228,000 to public schools throughout the state.

Applications are accepted and reviewed twice a year.  The next application deadline is Oct. 6, 2016.

Applications can be downloaded online or by contacting any one of Monsanto’s farm stations on Oʻahu (808) 685-8371, Maui (808)891-8830 or Molokaʻi (808)553-5070. Applicants should include all requested documentation. Incomplete or partial submissions will not be eligible.

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a not-for-profit organization whose mission it is to strengthen farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work.

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Collaboration Boosts Science Education at Molokaʻi High

Last month, The Monsanto Fund announced that students at Molokaʻi High School will have new learning opportunities to boost their science education, thanks to a community collaboration that’s helping the school acquire new classroom equipment and establish summer internships at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Through the efforts of Molokaʻi High School alumnus and BYU Associate Professor John S. K. Kauwe, Ph.D., together with a $20,000 educational grant from the philanthropic Monsanto Fund, Molokaʻi High students will enhance their education in genetics and the scientific research process, aided by new science lab equipment at the school and summer internships at BYU.

Dr. Kauwe graduated from Molokaʻi High in 1996 as its valedictorian, and is today an internationally recognized researcher specializing in Alzheimer’s disease genetics. After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at BYU, he completed his Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis. For the past several years, he has been working with Molokaʻ High School to advance the school’s science education program and encourage students to pursue careers in science.

“Since my graduation from MHS 20 years ago, I’ve found many opportunities to come back and work with the students. It’s clear that the talent, capabilities, and potential of our students continue to grow,” Kauwe said. “MHS has excellent leadership and faculty and a legacy of successful education in the sciences. This grant provides a unique opportunity to build that legacy. Thanks to the Monsanto Fund, MHS students will have access to the newest technologies for genetics research, and I’m confident these experiences will motivate MHS students to study biology and prepare them for success in college.”

With the Monsanto Fund grant, Molokaʻi High will acquire centrifuges, incubators, microscopes and other lab equipment. The grant will also allow four Molokai High students an opportunity to spend four weeks at Kauwe’s research lab at BYU, gaining first-hand experience in lab work and basic bioinformatics (the science of collecting and analyzing complex biological data). Both the new equipment and training for Molokai High School teachers are expected to benefit Molokaʻi High students for years to come.

“As a scientist myself, I applaud Dr. Kauwe and Molokaʻi High’s efforts to keep raising the bar of excellence in science education,” said John Purcell, Ph.D., Monsanto Hawaiʻi Business Lead. “The learning experience that Dr. Kauwe and BYU are offering to Molokaʻi students is a fabulous opportunity, and we wish them tremendous success.”

“Molokaʻi High has a growing community of friends and alumni who are uniting to support our students in all of their endeavors. I’m grateful to be part of that community and look forward to the continued success of our students and the school,” Kauwe said.