Connecting students to communities
“Community Science at ʻIolani School aspires to empower Hawaiʻi’s students, teachers, schools, and communities through authentic scientific inquiry and research that is ethical, reciprocal, and deeply rooted in relationships.
We believe Community Science is most powerful when learning transforms both the learner and the community, creating lasting impact through a shared commitment to the well-being of Hawaiʻi.
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Community Science at ‘Iolani School is the legacy of John “Papa Jack” Kay, a 52-year faculty member at ʻIolani School who believed passionately about getting kids out in the real world doing science. He envisioned a resource for both the ‘Iolani School community and the broader STEM community. A place where students could conduct research and solve problems important to them, a gathering place for the community, and a resource in equipment and expertise for others.
‘Iolani Schoolʻs Paʻēpaʻē o Waikolu is a consortium of K-12 private, public, and charter schools dedicated to restoring the health of the Ala Wai Watershed through stream biodiversity curriculum and direct removal of invasive species from streams.
stemplus
STEMplus was created to help Hawaiʻi public, charter, and independent school teachers of all grade levels connect their classroom to community. Learn more about monthly meetings that connect experts to various community science based projects.
ʻĀINA-INFORMATICS
The ʻĀina-Informatics Network was established by ʻIolani School to develop place-based curricula for genome science, centered on local biodiversity and global issues in bioethics, all while generating real data via a community science approach.
independent research
Learn more about ʻIolani School students pursuing independent research projects and conducting science in service to their community.