INNOVATION SKILLS FOR KNOWLEDGE-BASED JOBS

Among the most successful are robotics programs, project-based learning programs that educate through exciting robotics competitions. Elementary and middle school students recently competed in the FIRST Lego League Regional Tournament at McKinley High School in December with 64 teams participating, including an enthusiastic Washington Middle School team. High school students are now preparing for the FIRST Robotics Competition on March 27-29, 2008 at the University of Hawaii. Teams from 26 schools are entered so far, including McKinley High School. McKinley High is also the first Hawaii school to adopt “Project Lead the Way” curriculum (a national program) in its Engineering Academy Pathway.

Another competitive robotics program is BotBall, in which school teams vie against each other with pre-programmed robots. Last July's International BotBall Tournament included 65 teams, with strong showings from district schools. Hawaii's 2008 Regional BotBall Tournament is scheduled for May 10 at the Hawaii Convention Center, with 35 teams entered so far, including Washington Middle School, Stevenson Middle School, and Roosevelt High School.

Act 111 also funded the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program to help science and mathematics teachers keep up with current developments through study at the UH College of Engineering. Stipends are provided as incentives to encourage those who hold degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to obtain teaching certificates through UH's post-baccalaureate program.  Last year, Kawananakoa Middle School was among the first six participating schools.

CREATIVE MEDIA FOCUSES ON ASIA/PACIFIC STORIES AND PARTNERSHIPS

Many states are now moving beyond traditional filmmaking in pursuit of digital media industry development – the fast-growing, highly paid, profitable side of the global entertainment/videogame industry. In spite of its great climate and lifestyle, Hawaii faces stiff competition in becoming a creative media hub.

Fortunately for Hawaii, film executive Chris Lee’s pursuit of programs in filmmaking, videogame development, animation and web/graphics in his Academy for Creative Media start-up (UH, 2004) means that Hawaii is gaining recognition as a hotbed of creative talent, with its Asia/Pacific affiliations and opportunities for internships/training on “Lost” and other big-screen films.

The Academy for Creative Media (ACM) teaches animation, game design, film production, and digital media technology. It’s the fastest growing new program at UH with 32 courses and 301 students (Fall 2007), and has new partnerships with the Korean Film Council’s Filmmakers Lab and Shanghai University to encourage collaboration between ACM, Korean and Shanghai student filmmakers. ACM is also working on a Statehood documentary and four Hawaiian language films for Hawaiian immersion schools.

Act 11 appropriates $5.1 million to help ACM expand by partnering with PBS Hawaii studios on the Manoa campus.

This is good news for the aspiring film makers in Hawaii schools. Olelo’s annual "Youth Xchange" video competition awardees for 2007 included students from Roosevelt High, Washington Middle, Kawananakoa, Lunalilo, and Hawaiian Mission Academy. Congratulations on your outstanding work!