STEM and Innovation in Honolulu

I just returned from Ignite Innovation, 2017, a conference sponsored by the Iolani School in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was held at the Sullivan Center for Innovation and Leadership. I had the privilege of presenting the keynote, A Makerspace Toolbox, Inquiry-based STEM Labs. I  focused on purpose and pedagogy of STEM education, and Maker labs in education.
 
Hawaii is stunning and the weather during my visit was perfect. Iolani School is a beautiful campus with open spaces, a spectacular makerspace, and large innovative places for collaboration. Iolani provides an excellent model for 21st century learning spaces.
 
One of the particular joys of working on the island was getting to enjoy the welcoming nature of everyone with whom I interacted. It is not surprising, given the setting, that this Iolani Saturday conference had a full house with enthusiastic, engaged educators.
 
Innovation was the focus of the day’s work. There were many presenters and much to explore and learn. Our TechTerra team was happy to share high tech and low tech tools for creating. The conference was dynamic and inspiring for the participants. It was a further reflection of educators' desire to add STEM and making into schools everywhere across the US and the globe.
 
In addition to the conference, our team had the opportunity to work with Iolani primary and secondary students. They were highly engaged and really a great group. I also had the chance to visit my nephew, Daniel Mawyer, in his classroom at Holy Family Catholic Academy. He’s a  leader in robotics and inspires his students to strive toward their highest  potential in STEM.
 
This coming month is full with conferences around the country. We kick March off with NCTIES in North Carolina,  on to SXSWEdu in Texas and then CUE in California. Aloha and keep up with us at TechTerra Education! 

​Students from Iolani’s first grade giving Primo Toys Cubetto robot a lot of love

Loving Chibitronics STEAM activity, circuitry and art, dragons too

​Iolani Conference educators create with Future Make 3D pen

Iolani Ignite Innovation Conference and member of Iolani’s Education Innovation Lab Patti Nagami, Huge thanks for letting us work with you!

TechTerra playground at Iolani Ignite Conference creating geometric big structures with Pitsco’s Large Structures ​

​TechTerra had the chance to share Birdbrain Tech’s Finch robot with students and teachers

​Students at Holy Cross working with the Office of Naval Research building underwater robot ROV SeaPerch

​Holy Cross math & science teacher and robotics club coach Daniel Mawyer shares his student’s GameMaker projects