LIHU‘E — One of the fruits of a unique partnership to help motivate students towards careers in high technology was physically demonstrated for parents and students Wednesday night at the Lihu‘e Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, when the public was
LIHU‘E — One of the fruits of a unique partnership to help motivate students towards careers in high technology was physically demonstrated for parents and students Wednesday night at the Lihu‘e Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, when the public was invited to view the General Atomics Science Show.
Coordinated by Val Tsuchiya, the program was billed as “Kaua‘i In Step,” an exciting new adventure for Kaua‘i’s keiki into the world of science and discovery, said Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste.
“The County of Kaua‘i is proud to be a partner in the effort to bring this program to the Garden Island. I’m sure that each child who participates will find that learning can be fun,” said Baptiste. “My deepest wish is that many of the students who experience this program will be inspired to study math and science, and to pursue a career in technology right here on Kaua‘i,” he said.
Kaua‘i In Step is a project of Team Tech Kaua‘i, and is a partnership between government, business and industry, education, and the community, with the aim of motivating students to pursue careers in math, science, engineering and technology.
With the audience of several hundred parents and their children bathed in the loud, but not irritating, high-tech musical score, the convention hall took on the atmosphere of a Disney technology presentation, and only served to enhance the aim of Kaua‘i In Step as the night’s emcee, Troy Clarke, president and chief executive officer of the Riverside Science & Technology Education Partnership, had no trouble finding students (and parents) willing to answer his opening question: “How many of you are planning to be scientists?”
The audience interaction was reinforced by ample stock of premiums including Beanie Babies, T-shirts, caps, and other goodies, for correct answers and other participation.
Rick Lee, a scientist with General Atomics in San Diego, and Alan McClean of Toronto, Canada, headed up the evening’s program that delved into the science of plasma technology, gases, and solids, using “no magic” to bring the high-tech concepts to everyday levels that audience members could relate to.
As examples, Lee asked Capt. Jeff Connelly, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility, to name three items in the office that are based on plasma technology. His correct answers: “plasma TV, fluorescent lights, and the spark plugs in your car.”
Using liquid nitrogen as a base, the scientists continued to awe the audience with feats like freezing an Otter-pop in 30 seconds, crushing a steel can using air, flattening a five-gallon plastic water container by extracting the air, and then demonstrating the “memory” concept by allowing the air to return the container to its original shape.
Over 3,000 Kaua‘i’s school students in grades four, five, six and eight, have been invited to witness this extravaganza, and when the curtains opened Wednesday night for the public, Jim Kuga of Envisioneering, Inc. said they had already presented the program to over 1,500 students in three daytime shows Wednesday.
More students were scheduled for special Thursday and Friday showings, with the estimated number of students including youngsters enrolled in public, private, parochial, charter, and home schooled passing the 3,000 mark.
Prior to the show starting, and immediately following the presentations, students were also given an opportunity for closer looks at and some hands-on experience with plasma balls that were set up on both ends of the stage, the invitation needing no repeating to get the students up close to the buzzing sources of energy.
Kuga, obviously pleased with the reception of the audience to the special showing, promised that next year’s one “will be even bigger, and better,” his mind already envisioning more interactive displays, special sessions for educators, and using more of the convention hall’s facilities.
Kaua‘i In Step Committee members include Stewart Burley, Jonathan Chun, Myron Dobashi, Daniel Hamada, Dan Momohara, Beth Tokioka and Mattie Yoshioka.
The Kaua‘i In Step event was made possible through the efforts of the staff of Envisioneering, and WFI Government Services, along with the state Department of Education, the Kauai Economic Development Board, the county’s Office of Economic Development, and volunteers.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
