HONOLULU, HI — isisHawaii, a Hawaii-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to motivating educators and students toward 21st century learning, has announced a change in name to HI FusionED, effective immediately. The new name reflects the company’s dynamic process of combining or fusing diverse elements to form new learning experiences and positively-charged change in Hawaii.
“We see this as an exciting next step in connecting K-12 educators with leading-edge experts from academia, industry and the community,” said President Lynn Fujioka. “The new name encompasses the high level of energy involved in all of our collaborations and the cross-disciplinary learning and opportunities that occur as a result.”
HI FusionEd will be building upon the momentum established by isisHawaii’s outstanding initiatives, from sustainable agriculture and scholastic robotics to culturally-responsive partnerships and military outreach programs. Here are some of the most notable:
- Ipu Waiwai Kula ‘AE – Aquaponics in Education (2011-14): This project (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education Native Hawaii Education Program), targeted public intermediate schools in the Leeward District (Nanakuli/Waianae). Its primary goal was to increase NH student capacity by honoring and recognizing indigenous science as it aligns to 21st century learning and skill development
- Virtual SeaPerch Program (2012-present) — Partnering with Navatek Ltd, 3D Innovations LLC and the Office of Naval Research, isisHawaii is currently developing Phase II of a 3D CAD application for students called, “V-Perch.” VPerch users design, build and test underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in a total virtual environment.
- Hawaii Robofest – Since 2006, isisHawaii has been the official Hawaii site host for Robofest, an international math-based robotics program, developed by Dr. CJ Chung from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI. Currently, Hawaii boasts the largest regional among seven different countries and eight states.
- Military Outreach — Through a partnership with the USS Missouri Memorial Association, isisHawaii developed a training program and on-board encampment experience for young students using LEGO robotics to reinforce the battleship’s historical significance and engineering pathways.
The HI FusionED Team has selected Mililani High School’s graphic design program (under the supervision of Mr. Todd Yoshizawa) to help redesign the logo. (Note: Mililani High School students were the organization’s first student cohort in 2002. The project involved pairing female students with on-line mentors in STEM-related fields.) We look forward to seeing their creative solutions soon.
For more information on HI FusionED, contact Lynn Fujioka at 808.988.1931 or email lynnfujioka@gmail.com.