In 2006, the Maui Economic Development Board established the Ke Alahele Education Fund in Maui County to strengthen the education to workforce pipeline in the STEM fields.
With the generous contributions of Maui-based industry partners, Ke Alahele provides financial awards to local school projects and students in support of science and technology education.
Current supported activities include:
- Innovative curriculum
- Culture-science integration
- Scholarships
- Internships
- Apprenticeships
- Professional development or training assistance
- Equipment to enhance STEM activities
- Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award
According to MEDB Vice President Leslie Wilkins, a big part of the Fund’s mission continues to be attracting bright, motivated homegrown talent for internship positions in order to build a skilled 21st century workforce.
“We want to be able to offer lucrative STEM positions to our talented kids, especially those who want to come home to work and raise their families,” she said. “Ke Alahele’s Summer Internship Programs not only offer an exceptional opportunity for our students to learn in the actual workplace, but also apply their knowledge to real world problems and issues.”
As the education fund grows, Wilkins sees Ke Alahele internships being offered in a wide range of STEM fields from astronomy to engineering, from health care to environmental sciences.
For more information, visit the MEDB.org website: http://www.medb.org/programs/education-to-workforce/ke-alahele-education-fund/.