Journey Program Hilo Finishes its 20th Year
International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. Pollard
Journey Through the Universe in Hilo wrapped up its 20th anniversary on Feb. 9, 2024 following an unrelated but very exciting 5.7 magnitude Earthquake felt across the pae ʻāina. During Journey Week (Feb. 5 - 9), 67 Journey Educators and 27 Ambassadors engaged over 4,000 students in all 13 Hilo-Waiākea public schools. These volunteers provided astronomy and STEM-focused presentations custom-fit to teacher requests and specific grade levels. The most requested topic from our local teachers was “Astronomy with a Hawaiʻi Connection.”
Career Panels were held at both Hilo and Waiākea High Schools with alumni from both schools featured on each panel and at Waiākea Intermediate School for the first time in many years. Wataru Hayashi and Amber Imai-Hong were two such alumni from Waiākea and they shared about their work in plasma physics and satellite engineering respectively. Jerez Tehero from the W.M. Keck Observatory visited his old stomping grounds at Hilo high to share about his career pathway and the great work he’s doing now as the Lead Electrician/ Infrastructure Technician and in leading an apprenticeship program with Hawaiʻi Community College.
Journey Week also hosted three public evening events including a Community Mahalo Reception at ʻImiloa, a public lecture followed by stargazing at UH Hilo and a free movie screening of an independent film called Space, Hope and Charity at the Hilo Palace Theater and the Kahilu Theater in Waimea.
Much of our Hilo community is calling this year’s Journey program the best one yet and we want to mahalo everyone who volunteered or supported the program in any way! With your kōkua and passion, together we shared the wonders of the Universe and the exciting career possibilities in science and technology with our keiki. Aʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia. No task is too big when done together by all.
Learn more about the Journey Through the Universe program at its website, https://noirlab.edu/public/education/journey-through-the-universe/
