Student-led summit connects local youth with global peers through science, technology, engineering, math

Hawaiʻi Island high school students are preparing to host a five-day program next month to connect local and global youth in science, sustainability, and culture.

The Hawaiʻi International Science Experience, a student-led international science and leadership collaborative, is the first of its kind on Hawaiʻi Island. It was created by local students to expand access to global science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) opportunities.

Headquartered in Hilo, with explorations islandwide, the Hawaiʻi International Science Experience is designed by students, for students—connecting Hawaiʻi Island youth with global peers while showcasing the island as a living laboratory for innovation and environmental stewardship.

While the island offers a rich and growing science and sustainability sector, many students face geographic barriers to international experiences. The Hawaiʻi International Science Experience addresses this by bringing global collaboration directly to Hawaiʻi.

“Hawaiʻi International Science Experience will give more students the opportunity to collaborate across cultures and see what’s possible,” said student leader Micah Tajiri. “At the Hawaiʻi International Science Experience, we provide the tools, experiences, and relationships to break down barriers and empower students to pursue more than they imagined. That said, it’s a pretty cool program.”

The Hawaiʻi International Science Experience will feature a five-day, fully sponsored event combining a student-led summit, hands-on STEM learning, cultural exchange, and site-based exploration across Hawaiʻi Island from Sunday, July 19, to Thursday, July 23.

The idea was inspired by students from Waiākea High School who participated in an international science fair in Kyoto, Japan, alongside peers from more than 20 countries. The experience revealed the transformative power of global connection and sparked a vision to create similar opportunities at home.

Rooted in Hawaiʻi’s unique cultural and environmental context, the Hawaiʻi International Science Experience also highlights the island as a global leader in sustainability—where indigenous knowledge and modern science come together to inform innovative solutions.

“The Hawaiʻi International Science Experience is designed to create meaningful impact for students, our island, and our global partners,” said Gail Takaki, executive director of the Hawaiʻi International Science Experience nonprofit. “By developing youth leadership in science and fostering international collaboration, we are investing in a future where Hawaiʻi’s students are confident, capable, and connected contributors to solving the world’s most pressing challenges.”

This year’s cohort will include approximately 50 Hawaiʻi Island student leaders and participants, along with 20 educators. International participation includes 12 students and three educators representing partner schools in Japan, Taiwan, and Cambodia.

Participating Hawaiʻi Island schools include Waiākea, Hilo, Kealakehe, and Parker Schools, along with additional Department of Education, public charter, and private schools across the island.

Confirmed international partners include:

• Ritsumeikan High School in Kyoto, Japan
• Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Senior High School in Taiwan
• New Generation School, Preah Sisowath High School in Cambodia

The Hawaiʻi International Science Experience’s July program includes science and technology exploration through University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo programs in pharmacology, geography, geology, space, agriculture, data analysis sciences, and cultural sustainability.

The group will travel to West Hawaiʻi to explore solar energy in Waikoloa, Hawaiʻi Ocean Science and Technology Park at the National Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority, and stargazing on Mauna Kea. Moving around the island will include Ahupuaʻa Restoration and Energy Sustainability in Waimea and Kohala and exploration at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Beyond the summer program, the Hawaiʻi International Science Experience aims to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s STEM pipeline by expanding access to career pathways and building networks that support students long-term.

“Hawaiʻi International Science Experience embodies opportunity, youth empowerment, and the future of Hawaiʻi,” Tajiri added. “It’s about showing students what they’re capable of and helping them grow their abilities and interests through real-world experiences.”