By Kristin Matsumoto
The Genius Day Program holds its STEM program for Hawaiʻi public middle schools every summer. It all started in 2006 by Dr. Ania Wieczorek. For the month of June, middle school students participated in a week-long course filled with lots of educational and hands-on science related activities.
The overall significance of this program is to educate middle school students on the field of science, and interest them in a STEM-related career. The all-day program ran from June 5-30, Monday-Friday.
This year, students from both Oʻahu and the Big Island participated in the Summer Gene-ius Day Program. The schools that were involved were Kalakaua Middle, Ke’elikolani Middle, Jarret Middle, Waipahu Intermediate, Wahiawa Intermediate, King Intermediate, Nanakuli Intermediate and High; and on the Big Island, Waikoloa Elementary and Middle in Kona attended the program.
Student classroom sizes ranged from 10-30 students, with more than 100+ students participating overall. The subject matter covered included cell biology, plant science, environmental science, and more. Students overall had a blast working with new classmates and participating in hands-on activities! At the end of the program, all students were placed in groups to present on what they learned during family day. Both the kids and parents had a great time overall doing these activities together!