EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH SCIENCE
As a science teacher at ‘Iolani for 52 years, John “Papa Jack” Kay marveled at the joy research brought to his students. He saw how the process of investigating the phenomena of life ignited curiosity and passion, as well as how it fostered a
“The excitement is the result of not only doing the work, but it is also the network of people with whom they come in contact,” Papa Jack shared in the ‘Iolani Bulletin in 2008. Ever since its opening in 2014, the Research Lab on the fourth floor of the Sullivan Center has been a hub for scientific inquiry and discovery, not just for ‘Iolani students, but collaborators, teachers, and kindergarten through 12th-grade students statewide. Guided by Papa Jack’s vision,‘Iolani Community Science was established as a vehicle for the next generation of Hawai‘i researchers to leave their mark on the Earth. The projects undertaken by Community Science collaborators over the past decade have been exceptional in the way they examine issues in a place the students call home, Hawai‘i, chipping away at complex questions and finding inroads toward solutions. “The scale of what we’ve been able to accomplish with our small, amazing team is incredible,” said Director of Community Science Dr. Yvonne Chan. “We’ve created a program that’s a win for students who want to learn how to do science while helping their community. At the same time, we’re building a broad network that connects teachers to researchers while supporting them with cutting-edge scientific equipment and expertise that allows them to give more to their students.” Further, Chan said the Community Science team’s efforts fulfill a sense of kuleana (responsibility) and encourage students to really think about why the research is important. “What we are really building is pīlina, relationships between our students and their community, their home, [and] Hawai‘i.” sense of agency and belonging for young people in search of their place in the world. Recognizing the way embracing research could enrich personal development, Papa Jack sought to create more opportunities for students to engage in real-world science.
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