The Maunakea Observatories recently announced the launch of Maunakea Scholars, a new and innovative program designed to bring Hawaii’s aspiring young astronomers into the observatory community, competitively allocating observing time on a world-class telescope to local students. This is the
The Maunakea Observatories recently announced the launch of Maunakea Scholars, a new and innovative program designed to bring Hawaii’s aspiring young astronomers into the observatory community, competitively allocating observing time on a world-class telescope to local students. This is the first program of its kind internationally, leveraging the most powerful collection of telescopes in the world for the direct educational advancement of Hawaii’s high school students.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to help kids take their education to the next level using the incredible scientific tools of the Maunakea Observatories,” said Mary Beth Laychak, outreach program manager at Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. “We hope we can help inspire even more local students to pursue careers in STEM fields and become the next wave of scientists, engineers and technicians for these telescopes.”
Just like professional astronomers, the students are working alongside astronomy mentors to design proposals for telescope time with CFHT. The first round of telescope time allocation was awarded March 2 to students at Kapolei High School on Oahu. The next phase of project selection will take place later this month and will award telescope time to junior and senior students at Waiakea High School in Hilo.
Participating students have the opportunity to visit the telescopes at the science reserve atop Mauna Kea for an in-depth look at the science and technology taking place. The students also will visit CFHT’s Waimea headquarters for a night of remote observing in the telescope control room, watching data stream live from the summit to computer systems in Waimea.
“As astronomers on Mauna Kea, it is critically important that we support the communities that we are a part of,” said Doug Simons, director of CFHT. “I hope the Maunakea Scholars program can spark inspiration and love of learning that lasts a lifetime for these students, just as my mentors did for me as a kid.”
Initiated by CFHT and Gemini International Observatory, the Maunakea Scholars program is a partnership between the Maunakea Observatories and the state Department of Education.
The Maunakea Observatories hope to expand the program in future years by reaching more students in classrooms across the state and eventually providing mentorship opportunities for the full range of clean, high-tech careers facilitated by the observatories.
