Where are you from, and where do you live?

I attended UH Hilo in the early nineties, and am back here again after spending 13 years in New York. I am originally from the mainland but spent a good part of my childhood in Hawaii--mostly Waianae.

What is your professional & educational background?

I have worked in the field of educational technology for about 20 years. I am currently an independent consultant,

mostly working on student information databases for schools both locally and on the mainland. My goal has long been to do the work I love on an island I equally love. I received my M.A., Instructional Technology and Media from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1996. Since then I have held the following positions while continuing my independent consulting:

Columbia University in the City of New York
The School at Columbia University
Director, Information and Communications Technology

Ross Institute
Director, Communications Center

Ross School
Director, Technology and Communications

Columbia University in the City of New York
Institute for Learning Technologies
Assistant Director for Technology

My interest in educational technology began while I was a student employee at UH Hilo, supporting technology at HCC's Learning Center. I received my B.A., English from UH Hilo in 1993 and moved to New York to attend graduate school.

How did you get into robotics?

While at The School at Columbia University, a parent there encouraged me to start an after school program in robotics. She was a computer science professor and ran an outreach program to bring robotics into New York City public schools. I got interested, started a program and became hooked once I witnessed the enthusiasm my students exhibited while building and programming robots to complete various challenges I had given them. My first year culminated in taking 17 students to an M.I.T. RoboCup Jr competition. They did very well, but most importantly they beamed with pride in their accomplishments.

It's is broadly recognized that the US is losing ground in its efforts to produce quality professionals in the STEM careers. I thought, that it couldn't be be from lack of enthusiasm on the part of young students so perhaps it was a matter of access or exposure to just how interesting these careers can be. That's why I prefer to teach young children; I believe the perfect age to start exposing children to robotic engineering is grade 2. However, we need to maintain those opportunities, at every level, through matriculation. I am encouraged by the STEM programs promoted and supported by our governor.

Describe some of the robots you've built

I can't seem to find the time to do as much robot building as I would like. When I teach, I inevitably build so I try to teach a lot. Since my robotics instruction is mostly centered around student challenges, I will occasionally invite my students to challenge me. Sometimes I am able to solve their challenges, but my students are often much more creative in their solutions. So I watch and learn.

What do you enjoy about designing and building robots?

I think robotics is a perfect combination of hands-on engineering principals with the logistical applications of computer science in a relevant and fun medium. When I think how many people's first experience in computer programming was to print the words Hello World on their computer monitor (probably in High School), I think sheesh, we've come a long way!

Where do you see the future of robot design, construction and implementation?

People's conception of robotics is largely shaped by movies, where robotics resemble humans and often do trivial tasks. To some degree this is true of real robotics, but I want students to look much more broadly at what is sometimes referred to as embedded technology. That is, those technologies that pervade our world such as programmable coffee pots, or hotel door locks or automated toll booth payment systems or package tracking systems, etc. These technologies have made our lives more convenient while radically increasing innovation in logistics, enabling the global economy that we now live in. The playing field is wide open here and I have no doubt that someday my students at EB de Silva will be inventing smart systems that will improve the quality of life not only in the developed world but the developing world as well.

What does RoboFest mean to you?

Robofest is a celebration of local science. We are lucky to have some of the most accomplished scientists of their respective fields right here on this island in the middle of the pacific ocean. We need to do a better job of showing our youngsters that not only can they become scientists, but they can be involved in an interesting, rewarding, well-paid occupation right here in Hawaii. To me, it is the bringing together of Hawaii's students and Hawaii's scientists that makes Robofest, like AstroDay, so significant.

How can young people prepare themselves for, and get involved in robotics?

Anything that encourages a child's natural curiosity of their world is conducive to robotics, especially Lego robotics since that builds upon the nearly universal experience of making simple structures with Legos but adding intelligence. It's the opportunity, whether it be in an after-school program, a community center program or summer camp that allows kids to get and then stay involved in robotics.

Right now, I am co-teaching an after-school robotics program at EB de Silva Elementary School. This program is supported by a combination of resources from the PTA to local school funds to state grants. I encourage anyone with the interest and/or time to volunteer and broaden our student's exposure to STEM activities.