by Susan Collins

 in Hawai'i Tribune-Herald, July 4, 2001, page 7

Thirteen teachers from around the State of Hawai'i and as far away as New Mexico were recently among the first beneficiaries of a $675,000 National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) grant aimed at increasing astronomy education in Hawai'i. The teachers participated in a week-long retreat on the island of Hawai'i that included instruction in both the Hawaiian and Western perspectives of celestial observation.

 The NASA Office of Space Science awarded the grant to two University of Hawai'i at Hilo professors. Dr. Richard Crowe, professor of astronomy and physics, and Dr. Alice Kawakami, assistant professor of education, are developing the comprehensive New Opportunities Through Minority Initiatives in Space Science (NOMISS) grant over the next three years.

 The purpose of the award is to develop programs that encourage local students, from kindergarten through undergraduate studies, to become interested and involved in observational astronomy, and to prepare for such study at a young age. The grant is especially focused on combining the cultural aspects of science and astronomy into the programs, connecting Hawaiian children with their heritage of celestial knowledge.

 Crowe is focusing his attention toward developing the scientific programs, especially with regard to UH Hilo Astronomy degree candidates gaining accessibility to the observatories atop Mauna Kea. Kawakami is working with teachers from both public and private K-12 schools, including Kamehameha Schools and the Department of Education, on developing programs to get young students interested in astronomy so that they are prepared for and excited about space science when they enter high school.

 "Astronomy is a draw for students, but they must have math and science skills," said Crowe. "In order to understand nature at the deepest level, students must understand mathematics."

 Participating in the recent retreat were: Dory Miyashita, Pascale Pinner, and Roxane Stewart of Hilo Intermediate School; Barbara Kuikahi and Malia Lee, recent graduates of UH Hilo's Teacher Education Program; Moses Kaho'okele Crabbe, Lisa Hall, Kyle Ka`a`a, and Nani Pai of Kamehameha Schools - East Hawai'i Campus; Kathy Chock and Judy Cramer of Kamehameha Elementary Schools - Kapalama Campus, Oahu; Bonnie Kahape`a from Halau Ku Mana, Oahu; and Ramona Nez, an Albuquerque public schools resource teacher.

 "The teachers will return to their schools to develop projects and activities for their students by sharing the knowledge and perspectives they gained during the week," said Kawakami. "They will collaborate with their colleagues, UH Hilo faculty, and other resource people during the next two years as NOMISS effects teams of teachers in schools throughout the state."

 The retreat included lectures on the newest advances in observational astronomy, especially in regards to the work being done atop Mauna Kea, and in-depth discussions on the design and implementation of programs and curriculum that will inspire Hawai'i's youth to explore space science. Participants also attended workshops on Hawaiian cultural resources, which provided the teachers with information on celestial navigation and voyaging, protocol for visiting special locations on the island, and Hawaiian epistemology. Participants visited Cape Kumukahi to observe the sunrise, and traveled to the summit of Mauna Kea to observe the night sky from the Institute for Astronomy's 24-inch Air Force telescope.

 Also funded by the grant is a concurrent UH Hilo summer program, where undergraduates are conducting hands-on observing projects for the first time on the 24-inch telescope.