The 2024 Maunakea Wonders Teacher Workshop
Since 2017, the Maunakea Wonders Teacher Workshop has connected 126 local Masters of Arts in Teaching students at UH Hilo to the observatory and educational resources. This year, 15 students participated in the two-day event.
The Maunakea Wonders Teacher Workshop is primarily organized and hosted by the East Asian Observatory (EAO), but the program itself has been a labor of love carefully crafted over the years by staff past and present. The current lead organizer, Callie Matulonis, started the workshop with Harriet Parsons and Jessica Dempsey and it has since grown into an annual event with plans to continue for years to come. Dedicated staff members, including Callie, Yuko Kakazu, Emily Peavy, Andrea McClöskey, and Leinani Lozi have stepped up year after year to provide participants with information, resources, and a memorable program experience.
On the first day of the workshop, students heard from a variety of speakers. Callie and Andrea provided information about the Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee (MKAOC) and MKO resources available to participants as they continue their journey as educators. They also shared their perspective on the unique opportunity educators here have to integrate Hawaiʻi’s rich natural environment into curricula to inspire and intrigue students to learn about science and enter into professional science fields like volcanology, oceanology, biology, atmospheric science, and astronomy.
Day one also included Emily, from the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, setting up a portable star lab and giving students a tutorial on how to use it. In the spirit of providing accessible resources, the portable star lab is available for teachers to rent throughout the school year. The first day was rounded out by Leinani, who spoke about Gemini Laboratory programs for schools and community.
Day two of the workshop took place at EAO headquarters, where participants began their day shadowing Jameeka Marshall. Jameeka is a scientist, a “Shadow the Scientist” initiative participant since 2022, and an advocate who works to lower the barriers that prevent access and participation in STEM fields. Next, participants did hands-on activities with Yuko, followed by pizza and a career panel. Panel members included Tim Norton (Director of the Submillimeter Array), Tyler Coda (Scientific Software Engineer at Keck Observatory), and Hannah Blue (SCExAO Project assistant at Subaru). The second day of the workshop concluded with a tour of the control room.
Callie, one of the workshop’s founders, is now a research associate at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, but she continues to do outreach and is passing on her knowledge and ideas to Andrea McClöskey, who will take over the workshop’s leadership role. Callie and all of the staff members behind the Maunakea Wonders Teacher Workshop are dedicated to its long-term success, which is the truest testament to educators and their passion for learning, sharing, and lifting people up to succeed.
