Our Vision
Hawai‘i’s community of K–12 students and teachers are inspired by the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research and innovation of the University of Hawai‘i System, igniting their STEM passions, growing their expertise, and envisioning their own futures in our islands.
Our Mission
STEM Pre-Academy fosters student interest, engagement, and learning in STEM by connecting University of Hawai‘i research and innovation with K–12 classrooms.
We offer tools and resources, access to expertise, and learning opportunities for teachers, specifically focusing on Hawai‘i public schools for grades 3–8.
Our Organization
STEM Pre-Academy is administered by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), UH System. OVPRI oversees and facilitates research activities, supports innovation, and disseminates research results. STEM Pre-Academy supports OVPRI’s mission, working across the UH System and serving teachers statewide. Our work with the UH research community includes researchers, instructional faculty, staff, students, administrators, and other employees and partners.
Strategies
Learning Opportunities
What we believe
- Educators benefit from learning opportunities that build their pedagogical, technological, and content knowledge.
- Experiences that inspire and energize teachers sustain motivation and foster joy within the profession.
What we do
- Develop and provide a diverse range of opportunities that bring UH research, innovation, and resources to elementary and secondary classrooms.
- Provide ongoing personalized support and training for teachers.
Our goals
- Increase the number of participants in learning opportunities, especially those who have not previously engaged in STEM Pre-Academy offerings.
- Reach more schools statewide, including elementary schools.
Tools and Resources
What we believe
- Students deserve relevant and engaging learning experiences, with opportunities to use scientific and technological tools, to prepare them for college, career, and community.
- Teachers can best facilitate innovative and applied learning experiences when they are supported with access to equipment, lessons, and other resources.
What we do
- Offer technology, tools, toolkits, and lesson resources to teachers through our lending library and website.
- Collaborate with UH faculty, staff, and students to develop new resources to support STEM teaching and learning.
Our goals
- Enhance the usage of the lending library and website resources.
- Expand the lending library and website resources in collaboration with teachers and the UH research community.
Community Building
What we believe
- A community of teachers and practitioners is mutually beneficial and ultimately supports student STEM interest and learning.
- Building and sustaining a network of educators, along with a culture of sharing and learning together, amplifies the impact and effectiveness of our work.
What we do
- Provide relevant and responsive communication through our website, newsletters, outreach events, and direct communication with multiple collaborators.
- Facilitate opportunities to bring together the UH research community and K–12 teachers and students.
Our goals
- Increase interaction among members of our network.
- Create more partnerships with the UH research community, focusing on building relationships beyond the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus.
Priority Actions
In order to reach our goals during the timeframe of this plan, we will implement the following priority actions:
- Examine all current and prospective initiatives and collaborations for alignment with the STEM Pre-Academy strategic plan.
- Establish protocols and norms that prioritize clear intended outcomes for all activities.
- Collect and utilize data to support informed decision-making and program improvement.
- Create structures that allow us to balance consistency and flexibility in our work.
Alignment to the University of Hawai‘i Strategic Plan
STEM Pre-Academy, as part of OVPRI, supports the broader mission and strategic plan of the University of Hawai‘i. We connect Hawai‘i's K–12 and higher education systems, partnering with the UH research community to provide outreach and service to teachers and students statewide. We believe STEM education is essential for preparing all students for a successful future in Hawai‘i, as community members and STEM professionals. This belief drives our efforts to foster student interest, engagement, and learning in STEM. STEM Pre-Academy invests not only in a future STEM workforce, but in our current teacher workforce by providing learning opportunities and resources for teachers.
