EPʻIK Science at UHM
The EP‘IK (Earth-Planets-ʻIke-Kuleana) Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa offers opportunities for high school students in Hawai‘i to gain exposure to Earth and planetary science in preparation for a successful college experience.
EPʻIK is committed to diversifying and broadening participation in the geosciences, while establishing a thriving educational pathway for Hawai‘i’s emerging Earth science stewards.
About EP‘IK Science
EPʻIK scientists work to protect the planet, predict/assess geological disasters, understand and protect water resources, minerals and energy resources, and seek a greater understanding of the Earth and the planets. At the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, EPʻIK scientists explore Earth and planetary research in many ways:
- Hydrology - Coastal processes - Hawai‘i’s natural resources
- Earthquakes - Plate tectonics
- Volcanism and volcanic processes
- Planet Earth and the solar system
EPʻIK science is also about supporting ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge) and kuleana (responsibility) to promote awareness in geoscience fields that support a thriving and sustainable community for Hawaiʻi.
For Teachers
EP‘IK Summer
EPʻIK Summer is a program for both high school students and teachers. Teacher participants will receive a $750 stipend or UHM course credit after completing the program.
Accepting teacher applications for
CAMP DATES:
July 22 - 26, 2024
Click here for more information!
EP‘IK Day
Would you like us to visit your classroom? Are you interested in a tour of SOEST at UHM? EPʻIK Day offers custom visits to local high schools, as well as UH Campus visits for school group field trips.
Click here to request an EPʻIK Day experience or inquire about more information!
EP‘IK Net
EPʻIK Net is a growing network of Hawai’i high school teachers and UHM collaborators working toward the common goal of increasing Native Hawaiian participation in the geosciences.
Please click here to join the EP‘IK-Net email list!
For Students
EP‘IK Summer
Get stoked about the geosciences! EPʻIK Summer is a multi-day experience for Hawaiʻi high school students that dives into the gnarly-ness of the geosciences, career paths, and the importance of geoscience in our community. Get paid while learning! Each participant will receive a stipend for completing the program.
EP‘IK Scholar
Earn college credit and win a scholarship to pay for tuition! EPʻIK Scholar provides tuition-free access to Earth Science courses offered through the UH Mānoa Summer Scholar program.
Our Team
Dr. Bridget Smith-Konter is a geophysicist that studies crustal motions of Earthʻs tectonic plates. She also studies the tectonic faulting processes on the surfaces of Jupiter and Saturnʻs icy moons.
Dr. Jasper Konter is a geochemist that studies the chemical composition of volcanoes and what they tell us about the Earth’s interior and plate motion. He uses research ships, chemistry, and high-precision instruments for his research.
Science Education
Dr. Tiffany Anderson (Department of Earth Sciences)
Dr. Aly El-Kadi (Department of Earth Sciences)
Dr. Julia Hammer (Department of Earth Sciences)
Dr. Bruce Houghton (Department of Earth Sciences)
Dr. Hope Ishii (Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology)
Dr. Garrett Ito (Department of Earth Sciences)
Dr. Tom Shea (Department of Earth Sciences)
Dr. Henrietta Dulai uses chemical tracers to study surface water-groundwater interactions, water runoff to ocean, and water quality issues across the Pacific Islands.
Dr. Jennifer Engels is a geologist working on programs for effective STEM instruction, and the role of culture and science in supporting undergraduate pathways from community colleges to 4 year colleges in Hawaiʻi.
Education and Outreach
Marcie Grabowski (SOEST Communications Office)
Dr. Kerry Kamakaoka’ilima Long (Native Hawaiian Student Services)
Lauren Kauup (Hawaiʻi State Department of Education)
Partnering High Schools
Farrington High School
Kailua High School
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
Kapaʻa High School
Kauaʻi High School
Dr. Scott Rowland is a geologist who studies Hawaiian volcanoes. He teaches geology, hydrology, remote-sensing, field methods, and GIS classes, and works part-time with the Curiosity rover on Mars.
Dr. Alyssa Anderson is a geophysicist who studies Hawaiian volcanoes. She also serves on the Kahua Aʻo project translating Hawaiian language resources and developing Earth Science curriculum relevant to Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
Liliane Burkhard is a graduate research assistant studying the stresses on the San Andreas Fault and tectonics on icy moons.
Contact
Dr. Bridget Smith-Konter
EP‘IK Program Director
Department of Earth Sciences
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
1680 East West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
email: brkonter(at)hawaii.edu
Dr. Alyssa Anderson
EP‘IK Program Manager
Department of Earth Sciences
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
1680 East West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
email: epik(at)soest.hawaii.edu
Media
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EP‘IK is sponsored by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, SOEST, and the National Science Foundation.
The opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed here are those of the EPʻIK program and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.