WAIMEA — NanoByteLabs opened its doors to the community under the veil of storm warnings and the din of the Waimea Town Celebration in the West Kauai Technology Center, Phase II.
The brainchild of Joslyn Wong, the NanoByteLabs president and facilitator, NanoByteLabs is described as supplementing educators by providing industry experts to guide students from ages 5 through 17 years old through a multitude of lessons which emphasize hands-on activities based on science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics principles.
“It’s important to have technology and engineering in kids’ lives,” Wong said. “This is just one part of that. This accelerated STEAM learning center is built on the four pillars of a child’s core foundation — self, family, teachers, and community.”
During the open house that took place in the gloom of an arriving weather front and rain on the Westside, Wong brought together representatives of those core foundations to get a firsthand look at the results of its venturing steps through a series of workshops with young learners (ages 5 to 7) held in January.
“NanoByteLabs aims to provide the core fundamentals needed to understand how things work and move, all while reinforcing key skills such as critical thinking and problem solving,” Wong said. “It’s like learning to ride a bike with training wheels.”
Kai Wong and Kawena Ruiz were two of the January workshop learners who guided guests through myriad electronic stations set up for their exploration, the youngsters demonstrating their prowess on the electronic platforms in coding, sequential learning, and even engineering, all using art concepts as the connector.
“They like the shark,” said Christopher Wong, operating a virtual reality computer linked to goggles. “I’ve taken them to other places, but somehow, they all come back to the shark.”
Learning takes place in small — maximum 12 students — groups during weekend two-hour learning and workshops and during school breaks. Online registration for Weekend Tech Labs is being accepted for March and April at nanobytelabs.com, or calling 346-8004.
“I am committed to breaking down the barriers of our schools, and coming together as a community for the kids,” Wong said. “Knowledge plus action equal power, and that is what we will do to put the kids of Kauai in a position to be able to compete and succeed in getting into the college they want, and getting that job they deserve.”
Chelsie Ruiz, the student activities coordinator at Kekaha School, said the school is “all-in.”
“This program makes a difference for the students,” Ruiz said. “My daughter, Kawena, was one of the January workshop students. She is normally a very shy person, but after three workshops, she has gained more self esteem and is not afraid to try new things. I really like how the program tries to put culture into it. This makes the kids start thinking.”
