LIHUE — The excitement of children learning about science, technology, engineering and math was obvious Tuesday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Squeals of delight emanated through the hall as children frolicked among the laser beams parading across the
LIHUE — The excitement of children learning about science, technology, engineering and math was obvious Tuesday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
Squeals of delight emanated through the hall as children frolicked among the laser beams parading across the hall’s ceiling, punctuated by volunteer technicians pelting students from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School and the Kapaa Middle School with air cannons and balloons.
“It’s good to see the students get excited about science,” said Richard Kuga, coordinator of the children’s science show presented by Kauai In STEP. “The excitement they have today only serves as motivation for further learning.”
Dr. Francis Takahashi, retired from the Kauai Community College, enlisted the aid of Georgeanne Friend, a Kauai CC faculty with the Electronics Technology program to lead the Photonics section, a study in the nature of light.
“We try to have something different each year,” Takahashi said. “We don’t want students saying, ‘it’s the same thing.’”
Kuga said the science show hosted by the Department of Energy played Tuesday and Wednesday, treating more than 1,600 students to the displays and inter-active exhibits.
The two scientists will be visiting Kapaa High School today and Kauai High School on Friday. Saturday, the scientists’ tour wraps up with a workshop for teachers, where they will learn about magnets, including building a magnet they can take back to their schools.
“This is the same technology which will be used to launch aircraft from aircraft carriers in the future,” said Capt. Bruce Hays, commander of the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Mana. “That is what we’re talking about today — aircraft carriers and roller coasters. The technology for future aircraft launches from aircraft carriers is based on the roller coaster.”
