Hawaii Community College (HCC) held a six-week engineering program over the summer in which three Academy students participated. Sophomores Malia Libby and Aimee Pak, and junior Kristen Tumacder studied electrical, mechanical and mechatronic engineering.

The program offered students the opportunity to experience the job of an engineer through lectures, experiments and group collaboration.

Libby said, “My favorite part of the program was being able to work with students from different high schools and islands and seeing how engineering can be applied to a job and for everyday life. I learned about the various fields of engineering to choose from. I’m interested in pursuing a career in one of them.”

Participants encountered thought-provoking projects that encouraged problem-solving, and the incorporation of math and science.

Tumacder said, “My favorite project was building rockets since I got to incorporate what I learned about physics and math in school. I plan to earn an engineering degree, and this program reinforced this passion.”

HCC’s goal is to help students make an informed decision about future fields of study in engineering and to be aware of what they can to pursue.

Pak said, “I have wanted to be an aeronautical engineer, and I still do after the summer . I am considering majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in aerospace.”