The University of �鶹��ý is helping students across the state reach for the stars—literally.

On May 21, 11 Waipahu High School students were honored through the Maunakea Scholars (MKS) program, a statewide effort co-led by the University of �鶹��ý (IfA) that gives public high schoolers access to �鶹��ý’s world-renowned telescopes. Among them was senior Mila Rexford, who earned the $10,000 Hōkūala Scholarship for her standout work in astronomy. Rexford plans to attend UH Hilo this fall.

“We are really excited to be awarding the Hōkūala Scholarship,” said Mary Beth Laychak, coordinator of Maunakea Scholars at IfA. “I’ve had the privilege of mentoring this year’s recipient for several years. Her application of her project is truly unique.”

Rexford began her project, “The Mystery of the Red Square Nebula,” as a sophomore. She worked with astronomers in �鶹��ý and the UK to analyze her data and even created 3D-printed models to help younger students and those with vision impairments understand her findings.

In addition to Rexford, 10 Waipahu students received telescope time through the program. Their projects will be carried out using the W.M. Keck Observatory, Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope, NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and Las Cumbres Observatory, to explore topics ranging from the solar system to distant galaxies.

Winning proposals from Waipahu High School

• Natalie Tosta: “The Barium Star of WeBo1”
• Joshua David Visitacion and Devon Ali-Elmore: “Exploring the Universe Within Hoag’s Object”
• Matthew Vila: “Resources of the Future”
• Janessa Torres: “Structure and Evolution of Arp 298”
• Jorge Badua: “The Blue of Life: Looking at NGC-2023”
• Isaac Pacariem: “Exploring the Star Polaris”
• Aaron Paguirigan: “M78’s Stars”
• Arielle Daguio: “Arp 87 Curiosities”
• Athea Brielle Orbita: honorable mention for “A Supermassive Conundrum”

Reaching every island

Maunakea Scholars launched in 2015 and has reached more than 1,300 students from six islands and awarded telescope time to more than 250. In addition to the Waipahu cohort, students from Kalani and Molokai high schools also received telescope time this May.

“From the start, one of our goals for Maunakea Scholars was ensuring the program reached every island, particularly rural communities which are often overlooked,” said Doug Simons, director at IfA. “We’ve not visited Molokaʻi post COVID, so it was a joy to be back this year awarding telescope time. It was a very full circle moment for me, one of this year’s recipients, Tainui Mowat, had a sister receive telescope time as part of the first cohort on Molokaʻi in 2018.”

Winning proposals from Molokai and Kalani high schools

• “The Andromeda Galaxy,” Tainui Mowat, Molokai High School
• “Sky Subtraction,” Azriel Mendoza, Molokai High School
• “Study of Rhea, Enceladus, and Dione for the Subsurface Potential for Oceans Using Mass Spectrometry on Hydrated Salts and Temperature Anomalies,” Leilani Phan, Kalani High School

With $60,000 in scholarships awarded since 2018, the Maunakea Scholars program continues to open doors and observatory domes for �鶹��ý’s next generation of scientists.

Astronomy enthusiasts from Kapolei High School are over the moon after earning telescope viewing time on Maunakea. Guided by mentors from the University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s (IfA), their achievement is part of the program, which provides high school students time to utilize observatories on Maunakea and Haleakalā to conduct their own research.

“Our goal is to spark excitement for discovery among these local students, propelling them toward a future where the stars are no longer out of reach,” said Doug Simons, director at IfA. “Worldwide only �鶹��ý high school students have access to major observatories to conduct their research projects, making this a unique and priceless education opportunity for our keiki.”

On February 8, 11 Kapolei High School students rejoiced as their research proposals were handpicked by a panel of seasoned astronomers, earning them prized telescope time. Among them, junior Kaitlyn Niitani will delve into the realm of twin-jet nebulae at W.M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea. Jet nebulae are celestial clouds of gas and dust and serve as cosmic laboratories for understanding the birth of stars.

“I was really compelled by all the new discoveries I was able to find out about, and I think I would actually like to continue this as a hobby because it’s that interesting to me,” Niitani said.

The Maunakea Scholars initiative also embraces other Kapolei students exploring realms from black holes to star clusters and beyond.

Full-circle orbit

Since its inception in 2015, the groundbreaking program has empowered hundreds of local high schoolers to explore astronomy careers through Maunakea’s powerful telescopes. It’s all too familiar for Kapolei teacher Laura Daclison, a Maunakea Scholars alumna awarded telescope time in 2018 while attending Waipahu High School. Using the Keck Observatory, Daclison performed astronomical observations of Kepler-35, dubbed the Star Wars planet because like Luke Skywalker’s home planet of “Tatooine,” it orbits two stars. Daclison, now a chemistry teacher at Kapolei, has literally come full circle and now oversees the next generation of Maunakea Scholars.

“I took my students to the summit of Maunakea and they had the opportunity to experience telescope technology firsthand, things that they can’t get anywhere else in the world, so hopefully this will ignite more passion into future astronomers with this new experience,” Daclison explained.

Expanding horizons

Maunakea Scholars was initiated by (CFHT) and Gemini Observatory in partnership with the Maunakea Observatories and the �鶹��ý State Department of Education.

“My goal for the future of the Maunakea Scholars program is to see it in all 40 high schools across the state of �鶹��ý,” said Mary Beth Laychak, director of communications and community engagement at CFHT. “It’s a program that every public high school in the state should have access to and something that we’re working towards.”

Designed to help aspiring young astronomers envision their potential to pursue a career in STEM-related fields, the Maunakea Scholars program is sending its first representative from �鶹��ý to the (ISEF), May 14–19. ISEF is the largest science and engineering fair for high school students in the world.

Ciana-lei Bence, who is also the first Maunakea Scholar from the Kamehameha Schools �鶹��ý Island campus, is mentored by University of �鶹��ý Director Doug Simons. She is currently a high school senior and plans to go to college to pursue a PhD in astrophysics. Her ultimate goal is to come back to work in �鶹��ý and create more community engagement in astronomy.

“As a child, I never thought of pursuing a career in science because it seemed almost fictional to me,” said Bence. “I didn’t know anyone who actually held a job in science, especially females or POC (persons of color). With the lack of exposure and resources for STEM here on this island, I think it makes it really hard for younger students to see themselves pursuing a career in one of these fields. Growing up with these circumstances, I am ever more motivated not only to pursue my dreams of going into the field of astronomy but becoming someone that other children can look up to along with creating more opportunities for the community to become more involved in.”

“Ciana-Lei worked hard on her research project and it was really gratifying to see her work recognized in these science fairs, including the largest in the world (ISEF),” said Simons. “She is an inspiration for her fellow students, teachers, and me as we all watched her grasp complex concepts in astrophysics, statistics, and data analysis through her research project. I hope to see her one day on the IfA faculty!”

Winning �鶹��ý science fair

Bence began preparations for the East �鶹��ý District Science and Engineering Fair in August 2021 when she first got in contact with Simons.

Her project “Analysis of Active Galactic Nuclei Mass Across Varying Redshifts” was awarded first place in the physics and astronomy category, and she won second place overall in the senior research division at the East �鶹��ý District Science and Engineering Fair, which was held in February 2023. In April she went on to win first place in the Physics and Astronomy division in the �鶹��ý State science fair.

For her project, Bence did an analysis of active galactic nuclei mass evolution patterns through emission spectroscopy in hopes of finding some evidence or reasoning for one of the theories behind the M-Sigma relation. The M-Sigma relation is a significant empirical correlation between the mass of supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies and the stellar velocity dispersion surrounding them that astronomers have observed for quite some time now, yet the theories behind it are not solidified.

Even though Bence was unable to prove her hypothesis, she was glad to be able to do this project and gain hands-on experience while learning essential concepts within the field.

“My interest in astronomy has always been there, but it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I realized it was something that I actually wanted to study in the future,” Bence said. “I think the first time I actually started thinking about pursuing a career in astronomy was when I stumbled upon a YouTube video explaining string theory. From there, I was prompted to learn more about the fundamentals of the universe and I’ve been inspired ever since to be one of the scientists working to discover and test these theories.”

In her spare time, one of Bence’s favorite things to do is karaoke with her friends. Along with singing, she also enjoys creating digital art (painting and 3D modeling) and hopes to explore these fields more in college.

Initiated by and Gemini Observatory, and in partnership with the Maunakea Observatories and the �鶹��ý State Department of Education, Maunakea Scholars successfully launched in 2015 to bring �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s aspiring young astronomers into the observatory community.

Designed to bring �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s high schoolers into one of the world’s most advanced observatory communities, Maunakea Scholars is the first program of its kind internationally to allocate observing time at major observatories for the direct educational advancement of haumāna (students). Maunakea Scholars has worked with more than 600 haumāna statewide.

An inaugural cohort of Maunakea Scholars at Lānaʻi High School were rewarded for their research efforts by earning opportunities to explore the universe with some of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s most powerful telescopes. The Maunakea Scholars program announced three students will be given time to use telescopes on Maunakea and Haleakalā to conduct their own astronomical research projects.

This is the first time since the program’s inception in 2015 that student proposals from Lānaʻi High School have been awarded telescope time. Throughout the history of the program, Maunakea Scholars has worked with more than 600 public school students statewide.

“I was shocked to hear my name announced. Not only did I receive telescope time, but my first round of observations were taken last night. Seeing my observations on the screen amazed me,” said Mackenzie Lamay-Aki, one of the Lānaʻi student awardees.

Mentors from the University of �鶹��ý (IfA) worked with students for months preparing professional-style research proposals. The proposals were reviewed by a committee composed of professional astronomers. The student projects were selected based on technical viability, creativity and science impact.

Lānaʻi High School students with winning proposals

• Callie Hart was awarded observing time with the Las Cumbres Observatory for her proposal “Comparing and Contrasting Stellar Classification.”
• Souina Seiuli was awarded observing time with the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility for her proposal “Rings of Saturn and Neptune.”
• Lamay-Aki was awarded observing time with the W. M. Keck Observatory for her proposal “Companion Stars Over Time.”

Maunakea Scholars works with �鶹��ý public school students to bring high schoolers into one of the world’s most advanced observatory communities. The program empowers students to envision themselves as aspiring astronomers, engineers and other STEM-related professionals. It is the first program of its kind internationally to allocate observing time at major observatories for the direct educational advancement of high school students. To qualify, students in participating schools write a proposal to conduct their own, independent research that can be conducted at an observatory. Selected proposals are then matched with graduate students from IfA and telescope staff to individually guide them through their research.

“Maunakea Scholars provided an incredible opportunity and confidence boost for my students,” said Kapua Weinhouse, a chemistry science teacher at Lānaʻi High School. “When we started the program at the beginning of the school year, I did not dream that a student from Lānaʻi would receive observing time at the W. M. Keck Observatory. I am so proud of the work my students put in over the course of the year on their projects.”

The 2021-22 Maunakea Scholars included students from seven local schools: Kalani High School, Kapolei High School, and Waipahu High School on O‘ahu; Waiākea High School and Kealakehe High School on �鶹��ý Island; Molokaʻi High School; and Lānaʻi High and Elementary School. The Maunakea Scholars Program works with education partners at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center and all the Maunakea Observatories facilities, Las Cumbres Observatory and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope.

• Related UH News story: Waipahu students win telescope time through Maunakea Scholars Program, February 16, 2022

“It is gratifying to spark fascination in science among students then watch them gravitate toward their exploration passions,” said Doug Simons, IfA director. “What makes it even more special is extending valuable opportunities to our keiki from rural communities and the neighbor islands.”
Initiated by and Gemini Observatory, and in partnership with the and the �鶹��ý State Department of Education, Maunakea Scholars was launched to bring �鶹��ý’s aspiring young astronomers into the observatory community.

This program is an example of UH Mānoa’s goal of (PDF) and E (PDF), two of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

Astronomy haumāna (students) at Waipahu High School were commended for their research efforts and rewarded with observation time at some of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s leading telescopes. The Maunakea Observatories announced four haumāna will be given time to utilize a telescope on Maunakea or Haleakalā to conduct astronomical research that supports their submitted proposals.

This is the fifth time since the program’s inception in 2015 that student proposals from Waipahu High School have been awarded. Throughout the history of the program, Maunakea Scholars has worked with more than 600 haumāna statewide.

“In the field of space and astronomy, it’s a huge huge huge field,” said Emily Phanphongsa, a senior at Waipahu High School. “I was very shocked at just being able to do the research about such large things and like the larger aspect of what the galaxy has to offer.

The students were selected by a time allocation committee comprised of professional astronomers. Mentors from the University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s (IfA) worked with haumāma for months, analyzing data and preparing professional-style research proposals. The student observers were selected based on viability, creativity and potential.

Waipahu High School students with winning proposals

• Casey Alhambra was awarded observing time with the National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope for his proposal “The Sun’s Wild Side.”
• Troy Mendoza was awarded observing time with the Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope (CFHT) using the Megacam and WirCam instruments for his proposal “Barnard 68, The Bootes Void Imposter.”
• Laureen Coleto was awarded observing time with the CFHT using the instrument SPIRou for her proposal “Determining Minor Gases of the Cat’s Eye Nebula.”
• Redgy Salanio was awarded observing time with the CFHT using the instrument ESPaDOnS for his proposal “The Bright Star WR140.”

Designed to bring �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s high schoolers into one of the world’s most advanced observatory communities, Maunakea Scholars helps aspiring astronomers envision their potential of pursuing a career in STEM-related fields. It is the first program of its kind internationally to allocate observing time at major observatories for the direct educational advancement of students. To qualify, students in participating schools must conduct astronomical research and assemble a comprehensive proposal that can be conducted at an observatory. Selected proposals are then matched with graduate students from IfA and telescope staff to individually guide them through their research.

Read more about the Maunakea Scholars program

“Working with the Maunakea Scholars program opened doors for myself and my students that I never thought possible,” said Tessie Ford, a science teacher at Waipahu High School. “Watching our freshmen grow over the course of the year while working on their proposals has been so rewarding.”

The current Maunakea Scholars include students from seven local schools: Kalani High School, Kapolei High School, Waipahu High School on Oʻahu; Waiākea High School and Kealakehe High School on �鶹��ý Island; Molokaʻi High School; and Lānaʻi High School. The Maunakea Scholars Program works with education partners at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center and all the Maunakea Observatories facilities, Las Cumbres Observatory and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope.

“Adding the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope observing time to the Maunakea Scholars program [this year] brings the Sun closer to �鶹��ý students,” said Doug Simons, director of the UH Institute for Astronomy. “It is exceptional that a local student from Waipahu High School will be amongst the first to view the Sun’s activity with unprecedented resolution. Mahalo to the Inouye Solar Telescope team for making this possible.”

Initiated by and Gemini Observatory, and in partnership with the Maunakea Observatories and the �鶹��ý State Department of Education, Maunakea Scholars successfully launched in 2015 to bring �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s aspiring young astronomers into the observatory community.

University of �鶹��ý (IfA) Director Doug Simons explained how �鶹��ý is the world leader in astronomy, and UH’s role in that 50-year legacy, in a February 3 virtual presentation to the UH Board of Regents research and innovation committee. Simons also shared his personal story—how he first became fascinated by astronomy and how it brought him to �鶹��ý more than three decades ago.

World-renowned astronomy research in �鶹��ý is conducted on Maunakea, �鶹��ý and Haleakalā, Maui. Maunakea, on UH-managed lands, is the most prolific astronomy complex in the world in total science impact (number of peer review scientific papers multiplied by their citations), according to Simons, and even outperforms the Hubble Telescope.

The (UHERO) just reported that the economic impact of astronomy in �鶹��ý in 2019 was $221 million.

Simon stressed that astronomyʻs impact on �鶹��ý goes far beyond scientific discoveries and the revenue that it generates.

Education and outreach

Simons highlighted the Hawaiian language-based program, operated out of the at UH Hilo. Hawaiian-speaking students and educators work with language experts and �鶹��ý-based astronomers to create names in ʻōlelo �鶹��ý (Hawaiian language) for astronomical discoveries made in �鶹��ý. The collaborative program is behind more than a handful of celestial �鶹��ý discoveries that captured world-wide attention, including mysterious interstellar object ʻOumuamua and Pōwehi, the world’s very first image of a black hole.

“I’m convinced that there is a real thirst for this type of discovery and it’s highly amplified by the synergy, if you will, with the A Hua He Inoa program providing these Hawaiian names,” Simons explained. “For me, it’s kind of like Maunakea having a global voice and that voice is Hawaiian. Very much as it should be.”

Also, since 2015, IfA students have helped mentor more than 500 public �鶹��ý high school students under astronomy education program, , a collaborative endeavor Simons helped establish when he was the director of the Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope. The program enables local teens to apply for observing time across the Maunakea Observatories for their own independent research proposals.

Intergalactic collaboration

Part of the presentation also spotlighted �鶹��ý astronomy’s world-class capabilities and how it has led to innovative research interconnection with billion-dollar spaced- based satellites such as ��������’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite or TESS (an all-sky survey mission equipped to discover exoplanets in orbit) and the historic James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) recently launched in December 2021.

According to Simons, near-infrared sensors (HAWAII–2RGs) developed and tested at IfA and on Maunakea will enable the JWST to gaze deeper into space than ever before. In the next 12–24 months, telescopes on Maunakea will play an integral role in follow-up observations captured by JWST as it starts its search for potential signs of life on other planets.

Simons likens astronomical observations of our generation to the early discoveries of Polynesia.

“They were, of course, masters of exploring the ocean in search of islands and sort of the analogy for me is, our medium has changed from ocean to space itself and our islands have now turned into planets,” he explained.

This work is an example of UH ����ԴDz�’s goal of (PDF) and (PDF), two of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

The phrase, “out-of-this-world” has taken on a whole new meaning for Ashley Kaya. The Kalani High School senior is interested in searching for signs of an Earth-like planet within Perseus, a constellation that looks like a hunter in the northern sky.

Guided by mentors at the University of �鶹��ý (IfA), Kaya’s ambitious proposal captured the attention of , an innovative program designed to award local students observing time on world-class telescopes. The Oʻahu native now has the opportunity to use the , which has facilities on Haleakalā and around the world, to conduct astronomical research for her project, “Determining the Habitable Zone of Algol.” That zone lies within the region of Perseus’ brightest star.

“Although my future career path isn’t necessarily catered towards astronomy, I am very interested in learning about different STEM subjects,” Kaya said. “I’m really fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in the program and receive telescope time, and I am excited to see where my project will lead.”

A committee of professional astronomers awarded Kaya’s habitable zone project top honors out of five student proposals from Kalani High School Fellow students Kyla Lee and Jing Zheng received honorable mentions. Mentors from IfA work alongside local high school students to help analyze data and prepare professional-style research proposals.

• Related UH News story: Future UH ����ԴDz� students earn telescope time through Maunakea Scholars, April 30, 2019

“They think differently than people who have been in the field for a long time, and there are fewer bounds on their imagination,” said IfA mentor Casey Brinkman. “I am always impressed and have so much fun reading their ideas, and helping shape them into something that can be achieved with observations.”

“The students at Kalani High School put together incredibly ambitious and creative programs this year,” said Mary Beth Laychak, outreach program manager. “They wanted to study the black hole in the center of our galaxy, search for life on other planets, and delve into the mechanisms that cause the shape of galaxies. And they’re all attending class from home, which makes their dedication and efforts even more special this year.”

As Kaya continues to scan the sky, her sights are also set on microbiology. She isn’t certain where she will spend the next four years focusing on that realm of scientific study but is grateful for this exceptional opportunity to dive into what lies among the stars.

This outreach is an example of UH ����ԴDz�’s goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

, a distance learning initiative created by the (MKAOC), will transport the annual AstroDay celebration (traditionally a hands-on event) into the virtual world. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the educational science event set to be held at Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo is on hold. Observatories and space science organizations will begin posting presentations and demonstrations online on April 27 through May 15.

“We will be bringing the same kinds of engaging activities that you would normally see at our East and West �鶹��ý AstroDays to a virtual space,” said Carolyn Kaichi, AstroDay organizer and outreach and education specialist at the University of �鶹��ý Institute for Astronomy. “AstroDay is one of our most beloved events of the year, and we didn’t want to disappoint our community who has attended AstroDay Hilo for the past 18 years.”

Winners from the AstroDay Coin Contest, a student design competition launched earlier in the year, will also be announced on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The grand prize design will be minted on a commemorative coin and distributed at future outreach events.

“We hope MKO@Home will keep everyone excited about AstroDay until we have a chance to get out again,” Kaichi said.

In response to the interruption of science education and outreach during the COVID-19 crisis, the (MKO) and Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee have combined resources to assist the community by offering MKO@Home online. The observatories and outreach committee sponsor educational outreach activities throughout the state including Journey Through the Universe and Maunakea Scholars. Many programs have been postponed during the pandemic, but the outreach group is set on resuming activities after regulations are lifted.

A Maunakea Scholar presenting his leading-edge research on a group of stars was surprised with a $10,000 scholarship to attend the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� in the fall. Jean Claude “JC” Dumaslan, a recent Waipahu High School graduate, plans to pursue a degree in astronomy.

“The Maunakea Scholars program was a step for me to be able to major in astronomy,” said Dumaslan. “I know it will help other people too, to give them that push to become whatever they want to be in the future. If things work out, I hope to someday work on Maunakea.”

The $10,000 Hōkūala (rising star) Scholarship is the latest addition to the Maunakea Scholars program, awarded annually to one or more top performing seniors in the program who are going on to study astronomy in college. For students attending UH, the scholarship award also includes an invaluable commitment of mentorship by a leader in Maunakea astronomy throughout each recipient’s undergraduate education.

“I have reviewed hundreds of scholarship applications over the years and know the great impact scholarships like this can have on students,” said Doug Simons, executive director of the . “It’s amazing to see how positively this can impact their lives.”

Dumaslan received observation time at the Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope last year and will receive more time this summer at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility to continue his work—research opportunities professional astronomers compete for worldwide. He is only the second double winner of Maunakea Scholars telescope time in the program’s four-year history. Dumaslan studied the spectra of Wolf-Rayet stars and will enter UH armed with observational data from two Maunakea Observatories, a rare and special position for a college freshman.

“As soon as JC received his first observations, he immediately realized that to continue on his project he needed more data in another wavelength of light,” said Mary Beth Laychak, outreach manager at the Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope. “That leap to wanting to know more is what sets JC apart and will serve him well in ����ԴDz�’s astronomy department.”

Maunakea Scholars is a unique partnership between the State Department of Education, UH and the Maunakea observatories.

Read more UH News stories about the Maunakea Scholars.

Kalani High School students, who were mentored by University of �鶹��ý’s staff, have won telescope viewing time on Maunakea. In April, Canada-France-�鶹��ý telescope staff met with students, teachers and administrators at Kalani to recognize the 2018–2019 school year winners of the Maunakea Scholars program.

The student winners were selected by a committee comprised of professional astronomers. After months working alongside mentors from IfA, analyzing data and preparing professional-style research proposals, the student observers were selected based on viability, creativity and potential. The students will be given time to utilize a Maunakea Observatory telescope to conduct astronomical research as it supports their proposal.

“The thought of going up and seeing the telescopes is pretty exciting,” said Andrew Gresham, a senior. “I always wanted to go and see new technology, so being able to go up to those high telescopes is pretty cool.”

And the winners are…

Jun Liang Pang and Gresham were awarded one hour of observing time with the using the instrument Espadons for their proposal “How Does a Vampire Star Phenomenon Occur and How It Steals from Its Neighbor.”

Sean Koyamatsu was awarded one hour of observing time with the for his proposal “Life on Titan.”

All of the participants in Kalani’s program plan to attend UH ����ԴDz� in the fall.

Educators and observatory staff shared information about the telescope and their personal journeys that led to their current jobs in astronomy then briefly spoke on each of the winning proposals. This is the third time since the program’s inception in 2015 that student proposals from Kalani High School have been awarded telescope time.

.

Read more UH News stories on the Maunakea Scholars program.

A first-of-its-kind partnership between the and the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s is providing high school students with real-life STEM learning experiences beyond the classroom with the most scientifically productive telescopes in the world.

Pairing collegiate-level learning with research opportunities for high school students, this partnership creates dual-credit pathways from high school to college for students.

The partnership will provide students at two �鶹��ý Island public high schools with an opportunity to earn college credit in an entry-level astronomy class.

“We are thrilled to partner with Maunakea Scholars and have enjoyed the process of developing an online pilot to serve students at Waiākea and Honokaʻa High Schools,” said Wendi Vincent, ����ԴDz� Academy director. “We look forward to expanding this pilot in future semesters and advancing academy offerings statewide.”

The pilot program launched in the spring 2019 semester.

“Our mission is to prepare �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s youth for their future beyond graduation by offering authentic learning opportunities,” said Mary Beth Laychak, outreach program manager. “We’re cultivating student scientists who will become the next generation of local engineers, technicians and astronomers who will operate and perform research with the Maunakea Observatories in the years to come.”

The Maunakea Scholars program is a partnership with the University of �鶹��ý, and the . The program allows chosen high school students observation work time with the telescopes that astronomers from around the world covet.

����ԴDz� Academy, which is administered through the at , allows eligible high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college-level courses and earn both college and high school credits simultaneously. Accepted ����ԴDz� Academy students receive provisional admission to UH ����ԴDz�.

more about the new program.

The Star Wars universe turned from science fiction to science fact for a Waipahu High School student, who observed a real-life “Tatooine” using one of the largest, most scientifically-impactful observatories in the world.

High school senior Laura Daclison performed professional, astronomical observations of Kepler-35 using the . Like Luke Skywalker’s home planet, which has two suns, Kepler-35 has a planet that orbits a pair of star—a circumbinary system.

Daclison is part of the , a collaboration between the , the University of �鶹��ý and Maunakea Observatories. �鶹��ý public high school students apply for observing time on world-class Maunakea telescopes, and the selected students are then paired with a mentor and telescope staff who assist them with their research.

• Read more UH News stories on the Maunakea Scholars program.

Helping Daclison during her observing night were Keck Observatory Support Astronomer Josh Walawender, Canada-France-�鶹��ý-Telescope Outreach Program Manager Mary Beth Laychak and UH (IfA) graduate students Christian Flores and Anna Payne and postdoc Lauren Weiss.

Daclison’s goal is to find out what would happen if Earth had two suns. “I chose Kepler-35 because the two stars are really similar to our sun,” she said. “I thought, if Earth had two suns just like Kepler-35, maybe there would be some correlation between them.”

“Maunakea Scholars is a fabulous opportunity for students to really do science, and it’s possible because of the University of �鶹��ý,” said Laychak. “We have contributions from all of the observatories—every telescope on the mountain gives observing time to these students. It gives them a really unique opportunity to not just learn about science, but actually do science.”

For more on Daclison and her time at the Keck Observatory, read the full story on the .

The program has expanded to Molokaʻi for the first time. Students from Molokaʻi High School will have access to this advanced technology, astronomy outreach and professional development opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math careers.

“Iʻve never been to Maunakea or the Big Island and I am pretty excited for that because I have never done anything like this before,” said Molokaʻi High School sophomore Skylar Rain Kuahuia. “So itʻs a great experience for me.”

Since its inception in 2015, the Maunakea Scholars program has seen tremendous growth and engagement across the state, doubling each year in size. This year, with the inclusion of more public schools like Molokaʻi High School, more students are benefitting from the educational empowerment of the program and the world-class telescopes.

“It’s exciting, especially coming from Molokaʻi,” said Molokaʻi High School junior Taye Mowat. ”We don’t get that much opportunities like that over here because we are so small.”

“We chose Omega Centauri to study and we wanted to study where in its lifespan it was, like, right now,” said Molokaʻi High School junior Sunni Chow.

As of spring 2018, hundreds of local high school students from 10 public schools have participated in the Maunakea Scholars program. Just days before the winners from Molokaʻi were announced, eight students from Waiākea High School in Hilo were awarded viewing time, following award ceremonies at Kapolei, Kalani and Honokaʻa High Schools.

“Getting time up there is like a once in a lifetime opportunity, especially because we are the only people who even get the opportunity to even go up there, so it is a really special thing for me,” said Alena Soares, Waiākea High School senior and Maunakea Scholar mentor.

Once telescope time has been awarded, the students will have the opportunity to visit the telescopes at the science reserve atop Maunakea for an in-depth look at the science and technology taking place. The students will also visit the Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope’s Waimea headquarters for a night of remote observing in the telescope control room, watching data stream live from the summit to computer systems in Waimea.

The Maunakea Scholars program’s partnership with the �鶹��ý Department of Education and the University of �鶹��ý have helped Maunakea Scholars grow beyond the immediate geographic proximity that had limited participation in the first years of the program.

Mary Beth Laychak, outreach manager for CFHT explained, “it’s such a privilege to honor these students’ hard work with awards at the midpoint of their research trajectory with this year’s Maunakea Scholars cohort. As we expand statewide, it’s critical that we include communities like this one—full of brilliant minds that deserve a shot at the world’s most powerful telescopes.”

staff gathered with students, teachers and families across the state to award the 2017–2018 school year winners of the . Educators, observatory staff and community leaders congratulated students at both King Kekaulike High School and Kapolei High School on their tremendous efforts and briefly spoke on each of the winning proposals. The 2017–2018 program represents the first time students from Maui have participated in the Maunakea Scholars program.

Students in the Maunakea Scholars program spend months working alongside mentors from the (IfA), analyzing data and preparing professional-style research proposals in areas of their own personal interest. The student proposals which are deemed most creative, scientifically promising and technically viable are awarded telescope time to facilitate advanced research.

King Kekaulike High School students were mentored by IfA Maui Technical Education and Outreach Specialist JD Armstrong, and Kapolei High School students were mentored by IfA graduate students Maissa Salama and Travis Berger.

“We are delighted to see the Maunakea Scholars program continue to grow with our first student participants from Maui and ongoing engagement on Oʻahu,” said , outreach manager for . “The imaginative and passionate student proposals from the 2017–2018 program participants piqued our interest and demonstrated what we already know to be true—astronomy has a special place in �鶹��ý.”

Winning proposals from King Kekaulike High School

• Janine Harris—Cepheid Magnitude Periods
• Ryan Siarot and Thorn Refugio—Observing Asteroid Colors to Determine Composition
• Quinton Uradomo—Dark Matter
• Kayla Wohlers and Caroline Stevenson—Deep Into The Storm
• Quentin Beamer—White Dwarf Formation Temperatures

Winning proposals from Kapolei High School

• Tavita Vaitului—New Life
• Elijah Kogler and Noah Kolona—Does the Orbit of Sagittarius A Affect the Surrounding Stars?

Those who are awarded telescope time are paired with a mentor, as well as telescope staff, to individually assist and guide them through their research. Past students have used their telescope time to explore black holes, exoplanets, comets, search for signs of life and much more.

The , designed to bring �鶹��ý’s high school students into one of the world’s most advanced observatory communities, has dramatically expanded for the 2017–2018 school year to serve more local kids. The program announced its tremendous growth recently at the .

“Maunakea Scholars is an unprecedented program,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of the . “It is a collaboration between the , the and , coming together for the purpose of providing amazing opportunities to the next generation.”

Launched in 2015 and now working with its third cohort of student astronomers, the program has seen explosive growth to keep pace with demand from local schools as the only partnership of its kind internationally.

• Double the number of participating schools, an increase from five to ten participating schools from 2016–17 and from three since the program’s inception. They include: Honokaʻa, Kohala, Kealakehe, and Waiākea on the Big Island, King Kekaulike on Maui, Molokaʻi High School, and Kalani, Waipahu, Kapolei and Nānākuli high schools on Oʻahu.
• Ten telescope facilities, an increase from two observatory participants at the program’s inception. They include Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope, Gemini Observatory, East Asian Observatory, Las Cumbres Observatory, NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, Subaru Telescope, W.M. Keck Observatory, United Kingdom Infrared Telescope, Robo-AO, a UH affiliated telescope, and the Smithsonian Submillimeter Array.
• Innovative curriculum development as a result of the newly-formed Maunakea Scholars Working Group, created in the official partnership agreement penned by the �鶹��ý State Department of Education and UH with the Maunakea Observatories in May of 2017.
• Approximately 200 students will participate in the 2017–2018 school year.

The program works by pairing a professional astronomy mentor with the students in each participating school to coach them through the process of interpreting astronomy data and crafting an original research proposal. The proposals are submitted to a time allocation community for consideration, and projects are awarded highly-valuable time on participating telescopes based on the merit and viability of the proposals.

Maunakea Scholar mentor and UH ����ԴDz� astronomy graduate student Jessica Stasik said, “I can use some of the best telescopes in the world, so UH has this unparalleled access for students and we now get to give some of that to the younger generation, and that’s really important.”

I actually got to go to Maunakea and I got to see the Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope and I got to see…what astronomers are using to collect my data on.
—Maunakea Scholar and Nānākuli High School senior Amber Nakata

Research ideas have included eclipsing x-ray binary systems, an in-depth look at star forming regions and how they retain their shapes, study of possible life in other areas of the solar system and comparing elements in different supernova remnants and more.

“My observing experience has been crazy so far,” said Maunakea Scholar and Nānākuli High School senior Amber Nakata. “I actually got to go to Maunakea and I got to see the Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope and I got to see … what astronomers are using to collect my data on.”

Throughout the year, Maunakea Scholars supports each classroom with educational resources, including an integrated indigenous Hawaiian perspective to modern science education, led by ʻImiloa Astronomy Center’s MANU ʻImiloa program. ʻImiloa was created to respond to the Western dichotomy view of “science” vs. “culture,” by providing a space where the two can coalesce, where culture makes science relevant, and where new and improved solutions become possible. This holistic approach can make science learning more effective and allows Maunakea Scholar students to understand what they are observing in more impactful way.

Organizers would like the Maunakea Scholars program to continue to grow and spread to all 40 public high schools statewide. For more information or to donate, please visit the .

Two Maunakea Scholars from Honokaʻa High School—Hokulani Sanchez and Keilani Steele—will be the next featured presenters in the Maunakea Speaker Series on June 15, 7 p.m. at Planetarium. These outstanding students received telescope time on the Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope (CFHT) to observe dark nebulae and study the connection of star formations in our galaxy.

CFHT Director Doug Simons and Outreach Manager Mary Beth Laychak will round out the presentation with details about the past, present and future of this unique education program.

The , led by (CFHT), is a partnership between the Maunakea Observatories, and . This innovative program is designed to bring aspiring young astronomers into the observatory community by awarding observing time on world-class telescopes to �鶹��ý high school students so they can pursue research of their own design and inspiration.

The Maunakea Speaker Series is free and open to the public.

About the Maunakea Speaker Series

The Maunakea Speaker Series is a monthly scholar-focused presentation offered as a partnership among the Office of Maunakea Management, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center and the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo . This collaborative venture gives the community unprecedented access to fascinating research taking place on Maunakea and other topics unique to the Island of �鶹��ý. A venue for scholars to share their stories and learn from discussion, the series promotes understanding and collaboration across all sectors of the community, while addressing the goals of the .

For more information visit or call (808) 933-0734.

This editorial by University of �鶹��ý President David Lassner, Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi and Director Doug Simons ran in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on May 28, 2017.

Another quiet revolution in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education was sparked in �鶹��ý’s education system and has reached ignition.

A new partnership co-signed this week by the University of �鶹��ý, the �鶹��ý State Department of Education and the Maunakea Observatories will play a key role in formalizing and expanding research-based STEM opportunities for �鶹��ý high school students. Through the Maunakea Scholars program, we will ensure that the unparalleled research capacity of the Maunakea Observatories directly benefits the students of �鶹��ý through a lasting partnership.

The Maunakea Scholars program was launched last year to see what would happen if we provided �鶹��ý’s aspiring young astronomers with unprecedented access to the world’s most powerful telescopes. More than two dozen �鶹��ý public high school students were provided access to Maunakea observatories.

The student projects so far have been nothing less than astonishing. Ashlyn Takamiya and Justin Fernando, students at Kapolei High School, used the Subaru telescope to compare the spectra of Type I and Type II supernova remnants for their research titled, “Comparing Elements in Different Supernova Remnants.”

Jasmine Atcherson of Nānākuli High School studied a rogue planet with GNIRS at Gemini Observatory. She used the world’s most sensitive infrared telescope to measure the composition of this free-floating planet’s atmosphere.

And Spencer Young at Kalani High School used an instrument called POL2 at the East Asian Observatory to measure the magnetic field of the Orion Nebula to determine the origin of the nebula’s shape for his project, “Star Forming Regions and How They Retain Their Shapes.” A professional astronomer studying the same area used Spencer’s data, and Spencer will be acknowledged in her upcoming academic publications on the subject.

Each night on �鶹��ý Island’s Maunakea summit, the most powerful collection of telescopes in the world captures light from the most distant reaches of our universe. The Maunakea Scholars partnership, the first of its kind in the world, is a lasting commitment to harness this remarkable capacity to provide �鶹��ý’s aspiring astronomers and STEM students with direct access to the most advanced astronomy resources in the world, right here at home.

Working with graduate student mentors from the University of �鶹��ý’s Institute for Astronomy, Maunakea Scholar students learn about the available resources and astronomical data analysis to formulate research proposals which are rigorously and competitively reviewed by professional astronomers. Together, we are truly pushing beyond the boundaries of conventional classroom education to provide an authentic hands-on experience available nowhere else on earth.

By pulling together our collective resources, we are giving our brightest young minds a chance to explore the world around us in ways previously limited to the world’s most proven scientists. These learning experiences will undoubtedly jumpstart careers in astronomy and other STEM fields while enabling new discoveries about the universe—by our own �鶹��ý students using the resources on Maunakea.

Whether in robotics competitions or finding solutions to cleaning the Ala Wai, our next generation is thriving in STEM fields. These real-world opportunities that enable students to explore their potential are key to nurturing their interest and sustaining the explosion of talent in our schools that will inherit and shape the world of tomorrow.

And for the students who will participate in the expanding Maunakea Scholars program, the sky is quite literally no longer the limit.

�鶹��ý’s leading academic institutions formalized an educational partnership designed to bring �鶹��ý’s high schoolers into one of the world’s most advanced observatory communities. The Maunakea Scholars program helps aspiring astronomers envision their potential of pursuing a career in STEM-related fields. It is the first program of its kind internationally to allocate observing time at major observatories for the direct educational advancement of students.

The collaborative agreement was signed on May 26 by Director Doug Simons, University of �鶹��ý President David Lassner and Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi at the UH ����ԴDz� .

“The observatories on Maunakea are the best in the world,” said Lassner. “This collaboration will provide some of our own high school students from across the islands with unprecedented opportunities to conduct real research as we work to grow the next generation of world-class astronomers here at home.”

The memorandum will result in the formation of an official working group operating to ensure the program’s continued success and the allocation of its resources. This committee will play a critical role in developing authentic, problem-based learning experiences that aid high school students in their college and career-readiness.

“Students are most successful when they are offered hands-on, innovative opportunities that allow them to be fully immersed in what they are studying,” said Matayoshi. “Maunakea Scholars puts the student in the shoes of the astronomer not just for a day, but a lifetime. It’s truly been an honor to be a part of this endeavor in elevating �鶹��ý’s schools as leaders in STEM.”

The current cohort of Maunakea Scholars includes five local schools, including Kapolei High School, Kalani High School and Nānākuli High School on Oʻahu, and Waiākea High School and �鶹��ý Island. Six facilities have committed to the initiative by allocating telescope time for student exploration, including Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope (CFHT), Gemini Observatory, James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, (operated by East Asian Observatory) Las Cumbres Observatory, NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and Subaru Telescope. Programming and education partners also include , who are helping develop and provide the cultural educational dimension of the Maunakea Scholars program.

• Related: Maunakea Observatories award Nānākuli and Kapolei students with research time, UH News, February 8, 2017
  , UH Hilo Stories, November 7, 2016

“It has been fascinating and inspirational to see these students formulate ingenious observing proposals,” said Simons. “These students never thought they’d have access to the most powerful telescopes in the world to conduct their own research and it’s remarkable to see the magic that occurs when they are provided with the tools and confidence to make it happen.”

More about the Maunakea Scholars program

To qualify, students in participating schools must conduct astronomical research and assemble a comprehensive proposal that can be conducted at an observatory. Selected proposals are then matched with graduate students from the UH Institute for Astronomy and telescope staff to individually guide them through their research.

Initiated by Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope and Gemini Observatory, and in partnership with the Maunakea Observatories and the �鶹��ý State Department of Education, Maunakea Scholars successfully launched in 2015 to bring �鶹��ý’s aspiring young astronomers into the observatory community. This is the first program of its kind internationally, leveraging the most powerful collection of telescopes in the world for the direct educational advancement of �鶹��ý’s high school students.

Nānākuli and Kapolei High Schools students were recognized for their outstanding student proposals, as part of the Maunakea Scholars program. These scholars will be awarded telescope time on , and .

Maunakea Scholars is an innovative program designed to bring �鶹��ý’s young, aspiring astronomers into the observatory community by competitively allocating observing time on Maunakea’s world-class telescopes. This program is the first of its kind internationally, leveraging the most powerful collection of telescopes in the world for the direct educational advancement of local high school students.

For more on the Maunakea Scholars program go to the .

Nānākuli scholars

Jasmine Atcherson will study a rogue planet with GNIRS at Gemini Observatory. She will use the world’s most sensitive infrared telescope to measure the composition of this free floating planet’s atmosphere.

Amber Nakata will research an eclipsing black hole binary system with Espadons on CFHT. Amber is the first Maunakea Scholar to receive three observing runs over a 6–9 month period. Combined, these data sets will allow Amber to monitor the time varying dynamics of the super heated gas falling into the black hole.

Attending the award ceremony was Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope (CFHT) Director Doug Simons, Nānākuli Principal Darren Pilialoha, State of �鶹��ý Department of Education Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi, University of �鶹��ý President David Lassner and CFHT Outreach Manager Mary Beth Laychak and Nānākuli teacher Jameeka Marshall.

Kapolei scholars

Chantelle Lopez will study the rogue planet GU Psc b with GNIRS at Gemini Observatory, searching for signs of weather on this rare free-floating planet.

Emily Little will research the comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusáková using Espadons at CFHT. She is searching for deuterated water to determine the source of water on earth.

Ashlyn Takamiya and Justin Fernando will study two supernova remnants using FOCAS at Subaru Telescope. They will use their data to determine if different supernovae mechanisms lead to the formation of different elements in the universe.

—Story from Maunakea Astronomy News

Students from Waiakea and Kapolei High Schools spent the night at the (CFHT) in the inaugural Maunakea Scholars program. The program provides �鶹��ý high school students direct access to some of the world’s most powerful telescopes as well as mentorship for independent astronomy research projects ranging from quasars to exoplanets. Andreea Petric, CFHT resident astronomer and University of �鶹��ý graduate students Kelly Blumenthal and Evan Sinukoff served as mentors for the scholars.

Student proposals were submitted for review and telescope time awarded, much as it is for professional astronomers worldwide. Once telescope time was awarded, the students had the opportunity to visit the telescopes at the science reserve atop Maunakea for an in-depth look at the science and technology taking place, allowing them to use the data for their projects. The students also visited CFHT’s Waimea headquarters for a night of remote observing in the telescope control room, watching data stream live from the summit to computer systems in Waimea.

• Watch .

The program was a collaboration between the IfA, the Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope, the Gemini International Observatory, the Deptartment of Education and Waiakea and Kapolei high schools. Next school year the program plans to double in size, offering even more opportunities for high school students across �鶹��ý.