Who We Are: isisHawaii connects educators to subject matter experts from industry and the community to develop engaging, rigorous problem-based 21st century learning experiences using a place- and problem-based multidisciplinary approach.
Our Project: Collaborate with key stakeholders in the Nanakuli community and public schools to co-design and develop an education center to explore the use of aquaponics as a viable rigorous education tool and training center. Phase I will
include working with schools and key stakeholders to assess education and community needs as well as planning for and initiating construction for the Center's infrastructure.
Why It Matters: The need is three-fold: 1) Education - The accelerated growth of tech and economic globilization has created an urgent need to develop highly qualified STEM (i.e., science, tech, engineering, math) workforce to maintain our
global competitiveness, insure national security and sustain our quality of life. The foundation upon which this stands is advanced math and science education. If not addressed, this community's students – who are lagging State averages in academic achievement
– will not have the knowledge or skills to earn living wages.
2) Secondly, as an island State, Hawaii imports over 85% of its food making it extremely vulnerable to catastrophic global events, climate conditions and foreign competition. Hawaii has a little over 6,400 square miles of total geographic area on 8 separate
islands, limiting agricultural growth.
3) Lastly, the Nanakuli community has one of the highest poverty and homeless percentages in the State of Hawaii. Our project can help enable this community to help themselves.