'Imiloa and GEAR UP Maui Embark on a Virtual Delivery Pilot Project

For the first time, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center has launched a virtual experience (modelled after a visit to the center’s planetarium and exhibit hall) to 144 students who have enrolled in this summer’s GEAR UP program on Maui.

“GEAR UP” stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. Federally-funded by the United States Department of Education, this program’s goal is to significantly increase the number of low-income middle and high school students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP Maui provides academic support, mentoring, career and college explorations, college preparation, and career academic support to intermediate students beginning in the 7th grade, continuing through high school and throughout the first year of college or career path. 

In June of 2019, GEAR UP Maui brought a cohort of high school freshmen students on a field trip to ʻImiloa’s exhibit hall and planetarium to explore the universe through Hawaiian cultural lenses. Due to COVID-19 and ʻImiloa’s temporary closure,  GEAR UP Maui’s team, led by Leihuanani Bissen, has partnered with ʻImiloa to help build connections with their students to the skies above. Bissen requested for ‘Imiloa’s staff to virtually deliver the live and active presentations that would otherwise be delivered onsite, at the center.

According to Bissen, “GEAR UP Maui always includes Hawaiian cultural values in all we do. It is a thread that is woven into the conversation to connect the academic with the culture and equate to each student's future dreams/goals.” 

This virtual experience is divided into 2 parts, presented on different days and each lasting about 45-minutes. Each presentation has about 10-15 students who interpret data, such as predicting tides using the Hawaiian moon phases, examining the sun’s seasonal shift on Haleakalā, finding direction using stars like Hōkūpaʻa (the North Star) and much more. “This pilot project serves to engage our students in exploring the celestial objects seen in Hawai‘i’s summer night sky.  If successful, our partnership with ‘Imiloa will help us in our mission to provide opportunities for students to deepen their relationships with place, space and community in order to gear up for the future,” Bissen added.