Celebrating a thiry-fifth anniversary in 2005, Summer Programs continued the tradition of providing enrichment learning in science and technology to one hundred fifteen students from Hawai‘i and abroad. Students came from as far as Texas, California, and Korea to explore the natural environment as well as the virtual one, making discoveries about their observations and experiencing learning outside of traditional textbooks. Six weeks provided ample time for students in grades four through twelve to complete a comparative study of all four of O‘ahu’s coastlines: north (Shark’s Cove), south (Kuli‘ou‘ou Mudflats), east (Kaiona Beach), and west (Ma‘ili Tidepools); apply the principles of aerodynamics to construct various planes and rockets; or storyboard, film, and edit a stop-motion claymation movie.
A staff of DOE teachers, private school teachers, and members of the research community helped Summer Programs with the community contacts to provide students with relevant and interesting field studies around the island. Staff members, who dutifully return to Summer Programs year after year, help provide a safe environment— whether in a classroom, laboratory, or out in the field—that is truly conducive to learning.
Additional highlights of the summer 2005 included a visit by the researchers and administrators that were instrumental in the development of the FAST program: Lee and Will Kyselka, Art King, Frank Pottenger, Don Young, Tom Speitel, and Cecilia Fordham; and a feature article in the Ka Leo o Hawai‘i that helped increase the community’s awareness of the program.
Comment from a parent about the CRDG Summer Programs
“My child was able to apply the lessons he learned to other aspects in his life (outside of the classroom). He maintained a journal that showed evidence of his learning.”
“Our child would tell us what he had learned in class and explains how things work. Our dinner conversations were very educational.”
Summer Programs students experience learning outside the classroom (counter-clockwise from top): 5th grade Sky & Space students at Air Soar in Mokuleia, 6th–8th grade Fish & Physics students at the fish auction at Pier 38, 6th–8th grade Physical & Environmental Science students gather soil and water data at Mānoa Stream, 4th–5th grade Robotics students work on their Lego theme park rides.