Ilima Intermediate School’s plan integrated the STEAMER model into the local K-12 feeder pipeline by having students design and fabricate hydroponic systems for several clients, including community members at a senior assisted living facility. Ilima Intermediate School science teacher Randall Shinn began by giving his students a thorough Introduction to Hydroponics and outlined the year-long community project (see his presentations and pacing documents here). In-class seed germination along with plant grow out was next. Two virtual Let’s Get Excited – Meet the Expert sessions were held with Jensen Uyeda, UH CTAHR, and Deborah Higa and Alden Fernandez, UH STEM Pre-Academy Engineering Interns.

Students used the Engineering Design Process (and newly acquired Engineering Sketching skills) to design and fabricate hydroponics systems for their community partners at Ka‘imiloa Elementary School, Ilima Intermediate School, James Campbell High School, and ‘Ilima at Leihano, an assisted living facility. The projects really began to take shape at the Community Support Day where students and partners met and worked on construction and assembly of their systems.

Randall Shinn – Hydroponics Project SY21-22 – Pacing and Outline Documents – Research, System Design, and Community Impact

Pacing and Outline for Research, System Design, and Community Impact

Quarter 1 – Download Document | Quarter 2 – Download Document

Let’s Get Excited About Your Hydroponics Project with Deborah Higa

Deborah Higa, Mechanical Engineering student with the College of Engineering at UHM, and Engineering Intern with STEM Pre-Academy led a virtual conversation with students in Randall Shinn’s Advisory STEM class at Ilima Intermediate School. Deb spoke to the students about the Engineering Design Process and how to stay customer focused. Deb touched on the importance of research, brainstorming, and understanding your customer’s requirements to develop the best, most sound solutions.

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Let’s Get Excited About Hydroponics with Jensen Uyeda

Jensen Uyeda, Extension and Outreach Associate at the University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), gave an excellent presentation on hydroponics to students in Randall Shinn’s Advisory class at Ilima Intermediate School. Jensen’s presentation, Hydroculture in Hawai‘i, gave students a look at different types of hydroponic systems, nutrient management, and a run-down of some of the most common hydroponically grown crops in Hawai‘i. The presentation was followed up with an excellent question and answer session on the STEM Pre-Academy website!

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Engineering Sketching and Design with Alden Fernandez

Alden Fernandez, Mechanical Engineering student with the College of Engineering at UHM, and Engineering Intern with STEM Pre-Academy leads a presentation on engineering sketching and design for students in Randall Shinn’s Advisory class at Ilima Intermediate School. Alden’s presentation introduced students to the importance of sketching in the Engineering Design Process, and how sketching can help communicate to your customer and your team.

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Engineering Sketching and Design Activity with Davin Sasaki

Following Alden’s presentation, STEM Pre-Academy’s Davin Sasaki led students in sketching activity that had them visualize and sketch a mobile hydroponics cart in different views.

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