HCAP WEEKLY March 3, 2025

Kalihi STEM Students Explore Paleontology

This week at Kalihi Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, STEM students embarked on an exciting dinosaur-themed journey, diving into the world of paleontology with two engaging activities that blended science and creativity.

In the first activity, students explored the process of fossil formation by making their own fossils out of salt dough. Throughout the dough making process, students learned more about measurements, fractions, and the importance of slowly mixing ingredients to reach the perfect consistency. Each student was responsible for kneading the dough and dividing it into equal portions before creating their own fossils by pressing shells and other organic items into the dough to leave imprints. After letting their fossils dry for 72 hours, students used earth-toned paints to finish their creations, mimicking the colors of ancient fossils.

Next, the students put on their paleontologist hats as they practiced their fossil excavation skills. Each student received a fossil identification kit containing various tools to carefully uncover and identify authentic fossils—some dating back 500 million years! This hands-on activity allowed them to examine and analyze both animal and plant fossils, connecting them to ancient life-forms.

After identifying each specimen, students used a geologic timeline they created in a previous class to determine which geologic period their species thrived in. The classroom buzzed with excitement as students eagerly worked to discover the history hidden in the fossils.

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.

Windward ECS Client Paves New Beginning Through HCAP

Solomon visited the Windward District Service Center looking for services that could help him gain employment to fulfill his parole requirements and was unsure of where to start. He expressed his dream of obtaining his commercial driver’s license (CDL) but couldn’t afford the registration and tuition. With his eagerness to succeed, the Windward District staff guided him one step at a time.

Following intake, Solomon completed Job Readiness Training through Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS), which covered resume building, interview skills, basic computer skills and time management. He was then given a list of job referrals and a hygiene kit to prepare for job interviews. Quickly, Solomon secured employment at the furniture store, Bali Boo Living, in the delivery and warehouse division. Nā Lima Hana was then able to supply his necessary work attire. Since then, staff have been working with Solomon on his job milestones as he reaches 60 days of employment.

Once Solomon was settled into employment, he and staff revisited his initial goal of enrolling into a CDL program. He quickly applied and was accepted into the Professional Driving Academy. Nā Lima Hana was able to assist him with $1500 towards his tuition allowing him to continue affording rent, and he was thrilled to begin his CDL program while continuing to work his part-time job.

HCAP staff congratulates Solomon on his great advancements and look forward to watching him grow towards self- sufficiency.

Click here to learn more about Nā Lima Hana.

Waipahu Pre-Plus Head Start Keiki Learn About the Water Cycle

At Waipahu Pre-Plus, the Head Start children learned about the water cycle. The children engaged in various activities that focused on a separate aspect of the water cycle. When learning about precipitation, they tore tissue paper into tiny pieces to create a pile of pretend snow.

The hands-on activity helped them explore the idea of precipitation by mimicking how snow falls and collects on the ground. To simulate and explore the concept of evaporation, the children placed tiny pieces of tissue paper “water droplets” in the middle of the carpet and waved a paper plate “sun” over the droplets while watching the pieces move upward. The activity demonstrated how water evaporates by rising into the air when warmed. Lastly, they learned about the different forms of water through a science activity involving ice.

Click here to learn more about HCAP’s Head Start and Early Head Start.