When thinking about Maker Education, you might imagine scenes of highly engaged and independent learners, tinkering, wondering, and creating collaboratively. It might even be in a well-curated design learning space with prototyping buckets, bright colors, inspirational quotes, and an annex of digital fabrication tools (3D printers, laser cutters, LED-lined computers). Also present, a learning facilitator… Read more »
Author: Justin Brown
Justin Brown graduated from TCU with degrees in Music, Political Science, and Psychology as well as his teaching degree from Chaminade University. Coming from 6 generations of educators, he has planned to work in education policy since the age of 10. Before entering the classroom full time, Mr. Brown worked as a jazz and classical bassist many internationally acclaimed artists. He currently serves as the CTE Coordinator and led advisor to 20+ STEM and Citizenship based programs at Kealakehe HS in Kailua-Kona.
Under his direction, the Kealakehe Robotics/STEM program has grown into one of the most prestigious and comprehensive programs in the state winning over 100 awards and over a dozen international qualifications. The team has developed over a quarter million dollars in partnerships to support their travel, program, and mentoring programs. Students from the program have attended college at universities such as Princeton, Penn, Columbia, Stanford, Tsukuba, UT, OU, Duke, Occidental, Washington, RIT, Drexel, Michigan, CalTech, Cornell, Rice, and NYU. He has worked extensively with the West Hawaii Complex and State Curriculum office on expanding educational robotics as well as the Design Thinking Model. He is a HI Hope Street Group Fellow, ASCD Emerging Leader, and coordinate of the Kealakehe STEM Academy.