WAIMEA — Heat and dust are chronic problems in Waimea — and a big nuisance when it comes to proper maintenance of computers. At Waimea Canyon Middle School, the help of two community partners has resulted in a new, dust-free
WAIMEA — Heat and dust are chronic problems in Waimea — and a big nuisance when it comes to proper maintenance of computers. At Waimea Canyon Middle School, the help of two community partners has resulted in a new, dust-free computer lab.
A partnership with Syngenta Seeds and Pacific Blue Construction enabled the school to install an air-conditioning system in one of its classrooms and convert it into a computer lab, according to Nathan Kawaguchi of the Department of Education.
“We really appreciate and thank the partners for coming through because without their help, this computer lab would not be here,” Principal Glenda Miyazaki said.
Waimea Canyon Middle School now has two labs in the school library, a laptop station and a mobile computer station.
The latest computer lab gained a new laser printer, which Kawaguchi said could be located in one of the teachers’ lounges. The printer was a contribution from Syngenta.
“It’s something that our company just outgrew,” said Laurie Goodwin, Syngenta’s Hawai‘i community outreach officer. “It’s fairly new and we just had it serviced, but we just outgrew it.”
The new lab, operating under the direction of librarian Faith Vea and computer technician Blaine Tsukayama, will be home to a media class, where morning announcements and school news will be broadcast throughout the school.
“The set-up is great,” Miyazaki said. “No matter where Blaine is in the room, he can have a view and access to the computers, and having the air-conditioning system installed will help protect the new computer equipment.”
