2012 Astronaut Lacy Veach Day of Discovery

Hawai‘i Space Grant was again a proud cosponsor of the Astronaut Lacy Veach Day of Discovery held to honor this astronaut and explorer who considered Honolulu his home. Initiated in 2002 by Art and Rene Kimura, directors of Future Flight Hawai‘i, this day-long event for students in grades 4-12 showcased wonderful, hands-on activities in 18 workshops, including robotics, rocketry, ocean science, medicine, and engineering. Keynote speakers who energized the crowd this year were Ms. Kai‘u Kimura (Executive Director of the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, Hilo) and Mr. Ian Kitajima (Senior Executive, Oceanit). The day ended with a rousing Science Fun Show by Chemistry wizards Dale Olive (Waiakea High School, Hilo) and Roger Kwok (Space Grant Associate Director, Leeward Community College). This event was cosponsored and supported by Hawaiian Electric Company, Punahou School, and Hawaii Space Grant Consortium, the family of Lacy Veach (Diana and Abe Barcena), and the Chatlos Foundation. In addition to the workshops offered this year, 16 organizations sponsored displays and exhibits. Over two hundred volunteers made the day happen, and enrollment for the 600 available seats filled quickly.