HCAP WEEKLY November 25, 2024

Hā Initiative’s Palamatrons Compete at LEGO League Qualifying Tournament

On November 23, Hā Initiative’s team Palamatrons from the Kalihi STEM Exploration Center attended their first LEGO League robotics competition of the season. Following all of their hard work this semester, students showcased their research project, their robot named Cora, and their coding skills to an audience of judges, robotics coaches, families, and other teams.

Palamatrons team members woke up bright and early on the day of the tournament so that they could arrive at Kapolei Middle School at 7:45 am. Students practiced answering interview questions and presenting their research before their 10:30 am time slot with the judges. After the team gave their interviews, they confidently exited the room with a big smile on their faces. The team shared that the judges were impressed by their research skills on the topic of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

After refueling their energy during their lunch break, the students were ready for the second half of the competition– the Robot Games. The team prepared for their missions at a practice table with their coaches, Mindy and Race. Students had three rounds to achieve the highest score for the robot game component. The team was nervous but kept chanting: ‘Teamwork makes the dreamwork!’ to stay focused. By the end of the competition, Palamatrons received their highest score during their last round, placing them 5th out of 12 competing teams that day. What an accomplishment!

Team Palamatrons were selected to compete in the State Championship on December 15th at McKinley High School. Students will spend the next few weeks improving their coding skills and tailoring their research.

Click here to learn more about Hā Initiative.

KTLC Staff Attend the Hawai’i Homelessness and Housing Conference

The staff of HCAP’s Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center (KTLC) had the opportunity to attend the Hawai’i Homelessness and Housing Conference. This conference was a valuable experience for KTLC staff, as they learned about the issues facing Hawaii’s homeless population, discussed program funding opportunities, and listened to stories from individuals who have worked in the homeless system or experienced homelessness themselves. The conference featured a wide range of speakers who shared their knowledge and expertise surrounding homelessness.

Experts in social work, public policy, and healthcare provided valuable insights into the root causes of homelessness and potential solutions to address this current issue. One speaker, in particular, shared their experiences working directly with homeless individuals and the challenges they face in accessing support and resources. Grant funding was also a major focus of the conference, with workshops and presentations dedicated to helping organizations like KTLC secure funding for their programs and services.

Staff learned about different grant opportunities available and how to write successful grant proposals that effectively communicate the impact of their work on the homeless community. The most impactful part of the conference was hearing personal stories from individuals who have experienced homelessness themselves, as they shared the struggles they faced and the barriers they encountered when trying to access support services. Their stories served as a powerful reminder of the human impact on homelessness and reinforced staff’s commitment to helping those in need. Overall, the Hawai’i Homelessness and Housing Conference was a valuable and enlightening experience for the staff of Kumuhonua.

KTLC staff left the conference with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to serving Hawaii’s homeless population. They were grateful for the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, connect with other organizations working towards the same goal, and hear firsthand accounts from those who have experienced homelessness. They look forward to applying what they learned at the conference to the work they do at Kumuhonua and continuing to make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness in our community.

Click here to learn more about Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center.

Waipahu Head Start Keiki Study Plant Science

The Head Start keiki at Waipahu Pre-Plus completed a study on plants that focused on germination. The keiki learned about the key steps in the germination process, made hypotheses, and connected with nature. They engaged in science exploration and sensory development through planting seeds, smelling and picking flowers, and watering plants in their classroom garden. To conclude the study, they made their own take home flower garden to share with their families.

Click here to learn more about Head Start and Early Head Start.