STEMworks™ Students Shine at 2024 MEDB's Ke Alahele Benefit Dinner

Maui Economic Development Board's (MEDB) annual Ke Alahele Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction made its triumphant return on October 26, 2024, at the Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott, Maui. This landmark event, the first since the COVID-19 pandemic and the tragic Maui wildfires, showcased the resilience and innovation of Maui and Hawaii’s STEM community while raising crucial funds for STEM education and workforce development initiatives, including STEMworks™.

The evening began with an impressive display of student innovation as STEMworks AFTERschool™ students demonstrated their achievements in robotics and game design. These demonstrations highlighted the program's success in nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders.

A standout moment of the evening was the presentation of the Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award to Maui High School students, Keani Kina and Janette White. The talented duo earned this recognition for their STEM service project, adapting a motorized toy car for a child with mobile disabilities, demonstrating both technical expertise and problem-solving. The team successfully rewired the vehicle and replaced the traditional pedal with an accessible button, creating a design that prioritized safety, comfort, and accessibility while maintaining full functionality.

This gathering served as a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting the next generation of STEM innovators, particularly in the face of recent challenges, and highlighted the positive impact of programs like STEMworks™ in preparing students for future success.

Participating Schools: Kalama Intermediate School, Maui High School, Maui Waena Intermediate School, Pukalani Elementary School