The Envisioneering Talent Development Model (ETDM) is unique as it provides a leave behind capability. Once it is demonstrated and transitioned to local and state agencies and industry, continuing funding from the Federal Government is not needed.

As part of the Kaua‘i Mayor’s Team Tech initiative, Envisioneering partnered with Kilauea Elementary School, in effort to bring industry and community together in commitment to prepare the next generation. The goal of this endeavor was to enhance student interest in science and technology which Envisioneering fulfilled by developing and proctoring weekly lessons that demonstrated simple, hands-on experiments.

Each lesson included a reading exercise which gave a general history and explanation for the scientific theory and real life applications. Following a short lesson on the science itself, a step by step experiment is performed in accordance with the scientific method. Course work also includes vocabulary, review questions, and a write up of ones findings so that the experience, while fun and exciting, meets state education standards in science.

These lessons are administered to five classes ranging from grades 3-6. Approximately 180 students participate, as well as their teachers, and often the principal himself.

Some of the subjects covered are chromatography, civil engineering of bridges, gas powered rockets, experiments in light, as well as lessons in solubility and immiscible liquids.

The work with Kilauea Elementary school was so successful and the students responded so enthusiastically, that Envisioneering took it upon themselves to branch out and provide the same augmented curricula to home-school students, an after school community program and the Native Hawaiians of Ni‘ihau. These lessons are done on a monthly basis and have equally empowered students with a kindled interest in the areas of science, engineering, and physics.

STEP is an acronym for Science & Technology Education Partnership. KAUA‘I IN STEP is an initiative designed to inspire our students toward careers in science, math, engineering and technology. It patterns itself after a very successful effort in Riverside, California.

The California STEP program, which has been in existence for over six years, began with the combined efforts of the Riverside community’s Congressman Ken Calvert, industry and members in the school district. It consisted of an annual industry-sponsored science show with exhibits and teacher workshops.

Likewise, Team Tech Kaua‘i, a partnership between government, business and industry, education and the community, established KAUA‘I IN STEP to conduct science and technology activities for Kaua‘i’s students.

WHY KAUA‘I IN STEP ?
The Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) at Barking Sands and other technology companies on Kaua‘i need qualified employees. The primary goal of KAUA‘I IN STEP is to instill an active interest in the fields of science and technology.

What initiated this effort?
We anticipate the availability of many jobs in approved and proposed high-tech projects on Kaua‘i. We, also, sense the urgency to prepare our children to qualify for these jobs through support programs in education.

Who participates in KAUA‘I IN STEP ?
The current focus is on students in the fourth through eighth grades as they begin to formulate career goals. KAUA‘I IN STEP will plan events and offer activities to encourage students in these grade levels to pursue education and career goals in high-tech fields.

In just two years, the annual KAUA‘I IN STEP Science Show by General Atomics reached 5400 students with visual and dynamic value-added science demonstrations enhancing existing science curricula. In September 2005 the second annual Science Show opened its doors again to the islands public, private and home schools, matching both attendance and enthusiasm.

Highlights of the show include demonstrations of familiar states of matter, liquid nitrogen, and the coldest volcano and longest plasma on Kaua‘i , all presented in a colorful and exciting format. “We’ll bring a few props that some of the older students could make as a project, because we’re hoping they’ll be inspired to tinker with things, and their teachers will encourage them after seeing the show,” said Rick Lee of General Atomics, co-host of the science show.
--The Garden Island Newspaper
Sunday, September 18, 2005

Outside the auditorium, interactive exhibits awaited curious students. From racing solar powered cars, to producing enough energy on a bicycle to power a blender to the completion of a smoothie, students were walked through the concepts of “observe, think and do” the basic structure for successful science experiments.

The KAUA‘I IN STEP program, is designed to inspire students to pursue careers in science, math, engineering and technology and judging by the attendance and the screams of students from the sensory overload the KIS Science Show was successful.

Envisioneering recognizes the importance of positive mentors for our youth. The company emphasizes the prospective benefits of showcasing Kaua‘i’s own who have pursued higher education and have ample career opportunities available in the fields of science and technology.

Through technology experiments and demonstrations, Envisioneering interns have been able to relate to the budding generation and assist students in the exploration of career options in science.

Envisioneering has participated with:

– Kilauea Elementary School (SY 2004 – 05)
– Kalaheo Elementary School (Apr 05)
– Eleele Elementary School (Feb 05)
– Kapaa High School Career Fair (Aug 04)
– Kapaa Middle School (May 04)
– Waimea High School Career Fair (Feb 04)
– KCC Science & Career Fair (Feb 04, Feb 05, Feb 06)
– Ke Kula O Kekaha O Niihau (Aug 05)

In efforts to support the establishing of a locally-based workforce, Envisioneering believes it is critical to provide aspiring students with early integration with industry. This program seeks to link qualified and ambitious individuals with facilities and experts in the fields of science and engineering allowing mentoring, hands-on experience and practical exposure to industry and skill.

Further more, these aspiring students become effective role models for other Kaua‘i youth. Being younger and closer in age to the students, they are easily admired. Above all else, it demonstrates that it is possible for a local Kauai‘iian to make it.

In 2004, five Kaua‘i graduates were hired by the company. Through partnerships with Kaua‘i Community College and the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility the individuals were able to immerse themselves into the high technology field and gain experience with lasers.

Brandon Allard, Bryson Semana and Shaun Arakaki were hired as interns and delegated the difficult task of designing and creating a fully functional photonics laboratory for Kaua‘i Community College. They had six weeks to prepare the lab for a presentation to a variety of distinguished guests. The guest list consisted of Hawaii Senators, the Mayor of Kaua‘i, Envisioneering, Boeing and Naval Representatives and KCC Staff and Administration. Prior to the internship they had little or no knowledge of photonics, and prepared for the internship through independent study to comprehend the theory and physics of light. The interns had a lot of help from Rose Ahart, who is an expert in the field. Over the course of two weeks, Ahart conducted numerous training sessions for the three young men. The first and most important regarded laser safety. After safety certification, training consisted of skills like mounting and aligning optical components, optical cleansing, operating and maintaining laboratory equipment and interferometry. The interns all became certified laser operators for the KCC Photonics Lab. On August 10, 2004 the interns amazed their audience with demonstrations on optical alignment, interferometry, modulations and other basic photonic concepts. This presentation introduced the community to the ground-breaking technology that will be arriving to Kaua‘i in the near future. The project funding will be used to aid in the education of Kaua‘i’s youth to prepare and encourage careers in electronics and electrical engineering here on the island.

Meanwhile, Lee Anne Cox and Naomi Nordmeier spent six weeks as interns at the Department of Energy Thomas Jefferson Laboratory in Newport News, Virginia. They worked at the Free Electron Laser Facility, where they were involved in hardware and software development for the world’s most powerful tunable laser. Specifically, they were involved in video camera fault diagnosis and repair, video multiplexing and interconnection, trim electromagnet checkout and electronic component assembly. They also performed fault determination and maintenance on the electron accelerator facility based on super conducting radiofrequency technology. Over the course of the internship the two women learned about the basic operational principles of the machine and operated the laser from bringing up the RF to aligning the optical cavity and monitoring various parameters. They were registered as users at the free electron laser facility, which required radiological worker training, oxygen deficiency hazards training, and general employee radiation training, through which the interns learned about radiation and its biological effects. The interns also spent a week in Washington, D.C., where they visited the Naval Research Laboratory, Admiral Belisle, and the United States Congress and Senate Buildings.

When the internships concluded, Envisioneering actively assisted the students through employment and educational support. Lee Anne Cox is attending Duke University for a PhD in Electrical Engineering. Shaun Arakaki is currently at the University of Hawaii Manoa obtaining his bachelors in electrical engineering. Naomi Nordmeier is currently employed by Envisioneering and has applied to graduate school for the next term.

This summer Envisioneering has continued their Internship efforts by hiring Sharla Shimono a recent high school graduate who will be attending the University of Southern California in the fall to study Earth and Planetary Science. They are also participating in a high technology internship program through Kauai Community College which enables Envisioneering to collaborate with individuals like Akira Nordmeier who is working towards a bachelor of science in chemical engineering at the University of Nevada- Reno and Cedric Macadangdang who is studying electrical engineering at the University of Southern California, both have recently completed their freshman year.

The internship program not only provides individual students with hands on application and training, but also molds these individuals into role models through which endeavors like the adopt-a-school program, science and career fair demonstrations are made possible.

Dedicated to the development of educational experience, Envisioneering has teamed up with Kaua‘i Community College and adapted an augmented curricula in attempt to satisfy the growing demands for high technology employees.

During the summer of 2004, a new photonics laboratory was established modeled after several other photonics laboratories in Connecticut and New Mexico. Equipment, training and set-up were provided by Boeing, while Envisioneering provided the interns who oversaw and ran the project.

Following the opening of the lab, a new photonics projects course was offered at the college adapting a curricula developed in part by the interns. Of the 12 students enrolled, 4 were Envisioneering interns, the others had prior training via the electronics program at KCC or were junior engineers at PMRF.

The course culminated with a semester project in developing a protocol for the making of holograms, as well as the successful creation of a holographic logo for the University of Hawaii.

Other ventures explored through this partnership was the organization of a visiting lecture program which show cased Dr. George Neil of Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and Dr. Samuel Blankenship of the Directed Energy Professional Society (DEPS). These presentations highlight free electron lasers, field applications of lasers, atmospheric monitoring by laser radar, and light and detection (LIDAR) advancements.

In 2006, Envisioneering participated in a joint effort to bring the visiting lecture program to a new level. This seminar series included student demonstrations of hands on science using a balloon electroscope and a battery powered electromagnet. Following the youth demonstrations, Jeff Walden, a metrologist from NSWC Corona, spoke about the field of electromagnetism and career applications. The dynamic presentation was presented to 75 individuals at the Science and Technology Career Fair. Envisioneering hopes to double this attendance with the next seminar on laser technology. These presentations are geared to showcase to the community specific advances in technology as well as career paths to interested students.