Students from Waipahu High School’s Academy of Industrial & Engineering Technology (IET) presented their engineering projects to a team of community volunteers, including professionals from Hitachi Rail Honolulu and other specialty trades. The projects demonstrated the students’ aptitude and ingenuity in engineering, as they presented innovations such as auto-powering drones and a self-cleaning rice cooker.
Volunteers evaluated students’ efforts and shared their insights.
“Many of the student presenters have prepared to enter college or embark on careers in the specialized fields they have studied here at Waipahu High School,” said Justin Pintande, IET assistant principal in a press release. “Having community volunteers evaluate their projects and engage with our students offers them a meaningful vote of confidence in their potential. We are truly grateful for the thoughtful feedback and challenging questions the volunteer professionals shared. This experience has strengthened our students’ confidence as they take their next steps.”
Other participating companies included Community Planning and Engineering Inc., Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, IBEW 1186, Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc., Servco and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, among others.
Waipahu’s IET is recognized by the National Academy Foundation and is among the first programs of its kind in Hawai‘i, providing underrepresented students with the resources and opportunities to help guide them towards successful careers in STEM fields.
