Honolulu, HI Over 160 students will take on a full-day of science

and technology lessons on Friday, April 30, 2010 from 7:30 a.m. to

4:30 p.m. Sci-Tech Day is being held at three regional centers for

registered 6th through 8th graders. Instructors for the day are local

science and technology professionals who will focus on science,

technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Sci-Tech Day centers are Honolulu Community College (HCC), Leeward

Community College (LCC), and Windward Community College (WCC). Each

regional center will have a unique lesson plan.

Hawaii Science and Technology Council and Institute President and CEO

Keiki-Pua Dancil, Ph.D. said, "Science and Technology is a growing

industry and this is a chance for students to get hands-on experience

from the experts, while also learning STEM curricula."

Studies have shown that curricula incorporating hands-on,

project-based, inquiry-led instruction have been successful in

fostering student retention in science, technology, engineering,

mathematics (STEM); particularly in secondary level students (i.e.

grades 6th through 8th).

Sci-Tech Day registration was held on April 3, 2010. There are still

slots available at the HCC and LCC sites. Information and

applications for Sci-Tech Day are available on-line at

www.hiscitech.org/institute.

The cost for this full day of ultimate learning is FREE and lunch is

included. Bento lunches for the students are being donated by L&L

Hawaiian Barbecue/L&L Drive-Inn.

A variety of science and technology professionals are donating their

time in teaching the courses. Each classroom will be supervised by

volunteers.

"We are extremely grateful to our sponsors and volunteers who are

helping to make Sci-Tech possible," said Dr. Dancil. "It really is a

collaborative community effort. Everyone understands the value of

education for our keiki; they are our future."

The regional sites will be covering:

Life Sciences/Biotechnology

Renewable Energy

Engineering/Product Development/Application Research

Software Development/Digital Media

Students at WCC will still learn during their lunch break. That's because

Williams Aerospace will demonstrate its Unmanned Aeronautical Vehicles

and explain how its become critical in our defense system.

One course at HCC will teach students how to extract DNA from a

banana. At LCC, students will learn about polymers and make magic mud

and silly putty.

Sponsors of Sci-Tech Day include Hawaii Science and Technology Council

and Institute, Leeward Community College, Windward Community College,

Honolulu Community College, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue/L&L Drive-Inn,

Hawaii National Bank, Ham Produce, Women in Technology, Alaka'ina

Foundation, Shee Atika Technologies, LLC., Wall-to-Wall Studios Inc.,

and Go! Mokulele Airlines.