12 young women from high schools statewide graduate from UH Hilo summer STEM program

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The cohort of young women from around the state experienced an exciting week filled with space exploration, science career insights, stargazing, and engaging tours of observatories.

Group of 12 high school women gather for photo with professor on lawn. In foreground is ground penetrating radar apparatus. UH Hilo red-roofed buildings in background.
On the UH Hilo campus, STARS students use a ground-penetrating radar to peek underground during a geology activity led by Assistant Professor of Geology Lis Gallant (4th from right), July 17, 2024. (Photo: PISCES/UH Hilo)

By Susan Enright.

PISCES and UH Hilo logos. PISCES with mountains and moons. And UH Hilo with University of Hawaii in red.A summer program aimed to inspire high school women to explore studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — the STEM fields— graduated 12 stars this month.

The Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems, commonly called PISCES and housed at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, hosted the eighth annual Women STARS (STEM Aerospace Research Scholars) Program the week of July 15–19, 2024.

Chris Yoakum pictured.
Chris Yoakum

“STARS is all about showing young women what’s possible for their futures,” says STARS coordinator Chris Yoakum, who is a UH Hilo alumnus with a bachelor of arts in communication.

“We aim to foster a supportive environment where students can explore their interests, connect with mentors and mentorship opportunities, and learn about what STEM careers are really like from women who work in them,” Yoakum says.

STARS is open to Hawaiʻi high school women ages 14 and up and is offered at no cost to participants. Meals, accommodations, and on-island transportation are all covered.

“We want to eliminate barriers and provide equal access to STEM education,” says Yoakum. “Our hope is that participants leave the program with a new perspective and inspiration to pursue their dreams.”

The 2024 cohort of young women from around the state experienced an exciting week filled with space exploration, science career insights, stargazing, and engaging tours of observatories. Hands-on activities in engineering, coding, and robotics ignited their creativity and problem-solving skills.

During an activity on the UH Hilo campus, STARS students used ground-penetrating radar to peek underground during a geology activity led by Assistant Professor of Geology Lis Gallant.

It was a memorable week for everyone involved and the students went home with smiles and a buzz of excitement.

Two young women working with model robotics.
STARS students learn how to build and program robots at STARBASE Hawaiʻi, July 17, 2024, Keaʻau. (Photo PISCES/UH Hilo)

Collaborative partners

Joining the UH Hilo College of Natural and Health Sciences where PISCES is housed and the university’s ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, the following were collaborative partners for the 2024 STARS program:

  • Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope
  • Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Museum
  • International Gemini Observatory
  • Mokupāpapa Discovery Center
  • NexTech Hawaiʻi, a local non-profit inspiring K-12 students in STEM
  • STARBASE Hawaiʻi, a Department of Defense youth program
  • U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory
  • Waiākea High School
  • W. M. Keck Observatory

See media release at PISCES website.

Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.

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