Lingle trip focuses on promoting science
Gov. Linda Lingle leaves for a mainland trip tomorrow to view an international high school robotics contest and meet Dean Kamen, the inventor of the Segway.
Kamen is the eccentric multimillionaire who founded the robotics competition, called FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).
Lingle said a portion of her State of the State address is expected to spotlight a new proposal for increased science training for public school students.
"I am going to unveil a proposal to bring more of what are known as STEM skills into schools," Lingle said.
STEM (Science Technical Engineering and Math) is a national movement supported by the National Science Teachers Association and a bipartisan congressional caucus to put more emphasis on science education.
Lingle said she would like to support a FIRST competition in Hawaii to allow more local students to participate.
"We don't have any of these regional competitions here, but it would benefit our kids. I will be talking to Dean Kamen to learn more about bringing them here," Lingle said.
This week's competition in Manchester, N.H., will include teams from Waiakea High School and Punahou School.
Lingle said she hopes that by expanding technical and science programs in Hawaii schools, all students will benefit. "It doesn't mean we would be creating more scientists, it is that we would be teaching people to think in a more critical fashion."
Kamen, according to a Web page about the Segway, holds more than 150 U.S. and foreign patents related to medical devices, climate-control systems and helicopter design. According to reports, Kamen, who flies his own helicopter and jet plane, once bought an island, seceded from the United States and issued his own currency.