KAUMAKANI — The Kauai Community Science Center (KCSC), a nonprofit science center on the Westside is hosting a free HOTspot Mobile STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Culture, and Math) event at Kaumakani Pavilion near Kamehameha Preschool today, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Events will have feature free Wi-Fi, 3D printer demonstration, a robotics demonstration where a keiki can drive the Makeblock m-bot and KCSC offers “brown-bag” activities with instructions and everything you need for the activity is “in the bag.”
“COVID-19 has made learning a challenge for everyone involved,” KCSC said. “KCSC wants to support students, teachers, and parents by bringing resources to their neighborhoods with KCSC HOTspot, adhering to social distancing, while having access to Wi-FI.”
In July, KCSC was awarded $176,506 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grant from the county.
With the CARES Act funds, KCSC purchased a Fore Transit Cargo van, which will be used as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for the Westside communities. KCSC also purchased Wi-Fi equipment, 3D printers, makerspace-related equipment, robotic activities, and more.
“We have had three events to date, two at Kekaha Elementary and one at Waimea High School,” KCSC’s President and CEO Sarah Styan said. “Thanks to our gracious hosts Principal Marilyn Asahi at Kekaha School and Principal Mahina Anguay and Major Aguilar at Waimea High School.”
Styan said KCSC is planning their future events in Hanapepe and ‘Ele‘ele before going back to Kekaha to start the circuit again.
“We hope to have one event every week at one of our West Kauai Neighborhood hubs in Kekaha, Waimea, Kaumakani, Hanapepe, and Eleele,” Styan said.
The activities are led primarily by KCSC interns who are college and high school students.
“They have all of the skills and knowledge to lead the activities and use the equipment,” Styan said. “It is great to see all of our guests, students, teachers, and parents learning from our interns. We plan to have an even wider range of activities as we learn and grow as well.”
KCSC core values are increasing access to science, growing science literacy, promoting climate change awareness, and creating a safe and respectful environment for our team and community. We are happy that the KCSC HOTspot provides is a vehicle that supports all of these.
Register at kauaicsc.getomnify.com or more info at info@kauaicsc.org.
