 Think Tech Hawaii. Civil engagement lives here. OK, we're back. We're live. It's Monday morning with Andrea Flagg, and she is the associate director of biomedical research at the Queen's Medical Center. She was also for a few years, and she still is on the board of the Hawaii Academy of Science, but for also for a few years, she was the chair of the board Hawaii Academy for Science, which is a very important organization, which is what we're here about to talk about today. Andrea, welcome back to the show. Thank you for having me again, Jay. Always a pleasure. So nice to see you. So here we are, and we're getting very close to the actual fair, the Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair. That's right. One of the most important things that happens in our state. We cannot lose sight of it for one minute, and it is organized by the Hawaii Academy of Science. Yes. So tell us the news about the fair. Well, the news is that we have evolved over time. And we'll talk probably a little bit about the change in how we have, you know, everything is changed, right? I mean, the one certainty in life is change. And so we had to change with the times from a more academic oriented science fair, I mean, organization to a very more business like run organization. And the news really is that we are getting better and better every year. The streamlining and the students and the amount of awards that we get in international science and engineering fairs is just really, really pleasing. And the community support that we have, and we'll talk about that I assumed a little bit, very hardening, very hardening. And so we are now, we will have very soon the 61st Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair. So we have been in business since 1958. And that is really exciting. Can you imagine like uninterrupted service to our students that want to learn about science and show off their, their prowess? Yeah. And there's a certain, there's a certain continuum involved, because when some student gets involved in, in the fair in the first year, the chances are pretty good. He's going to be involved or she in the second, third, fourth, right through school, because it expands, it covers a bunch of school years for kids. And so the result is it'll sort of dominate his thinking or her thinking for several years of his schooling here in Hawaii. That's right. And the other nice thing is that the students get exposed to, you know, they don't just stick, for example, with engineering. There are 22 categories in, in this, in the fair. And they're range from engineering to, to math to cell molecular biology, what have you. And the students, they can go to different fields. They don't stick necessarily all to engineering. Even if there may be very talented in that area, they venture out to other areas, and that makes them more complete, more rounded. They get exposed to the challenges. And they actually, it's more like a, maybe like a finding yourself what you want to do when you grow up kind of thing. That's always a big question. We go, we go around, and we will go around. Was it March 28th? Yes. March 28th at the convention center. And it goes for two or three days. And how does that work? So basically, we have a day of set up for the posters. So basically what the, we'll talk about this probably also a bit more about the science fair is a poster oriented venue. So basically the students. Just like the big boys. Exactly. You go to these science conferences, it's all poster oriented, big posters. Exactly. And these kids make big posters too. Yes. Even bigger, these kids. Even bigger, you know, they're like, okay, because there's, okay, instructions how to make the posters, you know, and so they follow the instructions, because that's what is dictated by the belonging to international science and engineering fair. Yeah. So they, they present and they build up, they put together their posters. And then the next day the judging happens. And so we have the fortune to have over 100 judges that help us out. We could, the Hawaii Academy of Science organizes these things. But without our community, we would be nothing. So the judges come in, there's a junior class or senior class, and then they come in and they go to, they have assigned posters. And then afterwards, they meet and then they discuss the posters and they select who should be first, second, third and so on. And the students, of course, they're, they're nail biting, they're going, oh, where am I? But they're also having fun, you know. Jay, you have made a lot of videos with them and you can see the palpative excitement that they, that comes across. Yeah. And they love it. It's a social experience too. Oh, yes. You know what I'm saying? Science isn't about science, it's about relationships. Like anything in the world, right? Like everything in the world. Yeah, I so enjoy talking to them. You know why? Because they're collaborating on these projects. There's not one, you know, sometimes there's one person who did the poster and has the project, but more often than not, it's two or three. And now they're buddies for life, for life, they're buddies. And when they talk to you, it's all scoped out so they know what they're going to say. And all of a sudden, these kids who you think would be quiet and reserved, no, no, no, they know exactly what they want to tell you. Yes. And you see the ones, you know, they're so thinkers and they think a lot and the social interaction is different. Not wrong, just different. And then, you know, they come to any science fair and they stand there from the poster and there's a poster next to them and there's a poster the other side and the judges are not always around. So they start talking to each other. Hey, what are you doing? Oh, that's interesting. Oh, okay. So the social network builds and then they come back the next year and the next year. And it's not for winning purposes. Winning is nice. I mean, let's admit it. However, the bigger picture is really the social contacts and the intellectual stimulation and the excitement that goes around. And meeting people of like mind. I mean, it must be such a kick for a kid from one neighborhood to meet some kids who are doing projects from another island who, you know, he's never met them. Right. And now he's going to meet them and he finds, yes, there are people who resonate in science and they're just as dedicated to science and the future in science as I am. That must be so exciting for them. And in particular, oh, it's not about all math, for example, you know, oh, art isn't, we don't have art in there yet or actually do with the Chevron art award. But it's not just about what I do. There's so many past pieces of the puzzle all around, you know, and it all fits together. Biology, for example, my field. Well, without chemistry, without physics, without math, well, where would biology be, right? You know, I wanted to ask you a question. You know, a question, you put a lot of time into this. You've been on the board for as long as I've known the board really. That's right, to number 12. I mean, you're a fixture there. And you're a scientist. Look, everybody, look, scientist. Okay, that's not only that, but you're an entrepreneur scientist, which is the best kind. And we had a show before a few weeks ago and we explored, you know, your company with your husband. It was really amazing. So here you are, dedicated to STEM science, you know, technology, what do you call it, engineering. And you're on the floor there. Undoubtedly, you act as a judge in all of these things, yeah? I have not been as a judge because I'm your administrator. Yes. Okay. I have, you know, there's so much time that you have, right? Yes. So you're walking around the floor, you're talking to these kids, and you see it through the eyes of the Associate Director of Biomedical Research at the Queen's Medical Center. Now, that's really something else, but you're interested. And, you know, my reaction, and I'm not a scientist by any means, but I'm an appreciator. When I go to Science Fair, I get so thrilled to hear them talk about their science. They talk about medical science, I remember a couple of times talking to these kids, they were like 15 or 16 years old, and they're talking about curing cancer, and they're serious about it. Yes. And they know all the nomenclature and the acronyms, they know all the latest work in the art and science of it, and they say, wow, I wonder if you have that reaction, too. I do. And I can tell you some of the titles of these posters, I go, that's a tongue twister. I can't even pronounce that, you know? What is this, you know? So it really evokes my curiosity also. And the nice thing in the reality of things is, you know, why I got into this business is really because we need succession planning. And science is so important. Everything around us is built on science, you know, technology, and the knowledge doesn't come from out of the blue. There is no Nuremberg Richter that, you know, you put on and all the knowledge comes to the brain. Well, you know, but winning, you mentioned, winning does give you a certain, you know, range of possibilities in life. And the story where I became aware of this was when I met Neil Aderbara, who's an ophthalmologist here in town, and he was in the science fair from Hilo, with the boys from Hilo, and he wins. And he goes to the mainland, and he's in the nationals. And all of a sudden, he's got scholarships coming at him from left and right. And I forget what schools, but he went to the best schools on the mainland. Yeah. And then came back, and now he's a star ophthalmologist and a big supporter of this and other science programs in our community. But, you know, the point is that it defined his life. It defines his life today that he participated in this program, and that he went to the mainland on the basis of his success. Yes. And he comes back, and he gives back. He realizes this was so important for his career, and he wants the same for all the other kids in Hawaii, all the school districts, that they have the chance to do that if they want to. And there's many schools that are really, really supportive. For example, one of our programs is a STEM award. We realized that, well, we were focusing on the students, which is great. I mean, that's fantastic. However, the schools should also be acknowledged. And so we created what's called a STEM award, and where we basically have 10 different scientific STEM-oriented groups here in Hawaii. I have a cheat sheet here where I can read off it in a second, but they come together and basically, if schools participate in the math bot, for example, or in Lego League or something like that, or in the science fair, that counts certain points, and then the schools with the most programs get an award. And we have 200 schools participating in that in 2000. 700 students or something like that, maybe more. Maybe I'm getting it wrong. Something over 700. For the science fair is almost 4,000. Pardon me. You're talking about all statewide. And the ones who are going to be at the convention center have won at the district level, and now they're at the top of the pyramid for the state. That's correct. But it reaches out to every place in the state, every school. Every district, the nine districts participate in schools. And so it fluctuates a little bit, how many students. But this year, so 2017, I should, the statistics are about 4,000 students statewide, and then about 1200 district-wide, and then about 400 on the science fair. It's really remarkable how many people, I'm sorry. And then 23 go off onto the international. It's really remarkable what an effect this program has. There's no other, in my observation, there's no other program that is such an incentive to kids to study science, such a reward to them, such a place of gathering for them through study science. It's because the program is based on mentors that are actually active, most of the time, active in academia. We have also scientifically oriented teachers who are really active, who take the students into the laboratory. So it's a mix between teachers and academic researchers at the University of Hawaii, HPU. Okay, I think it's time that we take a look at some of the notes you have on the table. What did you call them? Cheat sheets? That's okay. But the first one I would like to hear about is the history of the Hawaii Academy of Science, 1925. Can you talk about it? So the Hawaii Academy of Science was founded in 1925, and it was put together by several existing academies. For example, the Hawaiian Medical Society, which was founded in 1895. The Hawaiian Engineering Association was founded in 1902. The Hawaiian Entomological Society and the Hawaiian Section of American Chemical Society were founded in 1923. All those societies decided to found one in 1925. The first annual meeting was held in 1926. There were posters, other presentations. It was the scientists who were talking and exchanging ideas. Because remember, we were in the middle of the ocean. And the airplane was not that affordable or not existent. And so until 1967 or so, those annual meetings were held. And then of course, air travel came along. And researchers had the opportunity to go to the mainland to present their work. And so the attention shifted to supporting the succession, which is the young people. Yeah. I think what's interesting about the 1925 origins of the Academy of Science is that that was roughly 15 years, exactly 15 years after the establishment of the university. And Hawaii was growing up. Hawaii was a territory. It was a serious territory. There was some serious talent out here. There was some serious science out here. And it was the community feeling that yes, they could engage in serious science and bring all those experts together. And yes, this could be a place the world might be the path to. And there was a whole way of thinking that made the Academy come together. And people don't realize that many substantial discoveries in the plant and botany were made here because Hawaii was heavily involved in sugarcane and pineapple. And so how do you protect what do you do? What do you put in the soil? What's harming the pineapple makes a very interesting read. And they were so isolated, they had nobody to rely on. And we did get to be expert in that area. Exactly. And that showed you that science could actually help you in business and in all the activities around the state. I get excited just thinking about that. And I regret the fact that the airplane changed the nature of our scientific conversation here in Hawaii. It has, but with the science fair actually started the year before statehood, 1958. Okay, we come back from this break, Andrea. We'll talk some more about what the science fair and the Academy of Science is doing these days. It isn't just the fair, although the fair is a 1600 pound gorilla here, but it has other activities and it reaches people in different ways as you alluded to. We'll be right back after this short break. Hey, that's you. I want to know, will you watch my show? I hope you do. It's on Tuesdays at one o'clock and it's out of the comfort zone. And I'll be your host, RB Kelly. See you there. Aloha, I'm Dave Stevens, host of the Cyber Underground. This is where we discuss everything that relates to computers that just kind of scare you out of your mind. So come join us every week here on thinktecawaii.com, 1 p.m. on Friday afternoons. And then you can go see all our episodes on YouTube. Just look up the Cyber Underground on YouTube. All our shows will show up and please follow us. We're always giving you current relevant information to protect you, keeping you safe. Aloha. You know, sometimes we forget for a minute that science is our future here in Hawaii. We've got to keep up with it. We've got to train our kids about it, and we've got to try to hold them here so that they create scientific enterprises. And Andrea Flake has been involved in doing this for, well, your whole career here in Hawaii. She's the Associate Director of Biomedical Research at the Queen's Medical Center, and she's dedicated. She's a scientist. She's dedicated to the community. And I want you to know I really appreciate that. That is special. And she has been a director. Still is a director of the Academy of Science, Hawaii Academy of Science. And she was the president for a chair for a while. And you can see that she cares deeply about it, that she comes and talks to us about it. So talk to us about all the activities of the Hawaii Academy of Science these days, including, of course, the science fair, but also the accessory type activities that are involved. The science fair, the state science fair, of course, is the biggest event, and it's the most obvious event. However, for those three days in a year, a lot of work goes in during the year. For example, school support, district support, how to write a post or education, helping the teachers, monetary support, as far as we can, depending on our fundraising efforts, results every year. So all of that goes in. It's a humongous amount of work, a coordination of over 100 judges, 70 volunteers, and all the parents that come along. It culminates in the spin-off of the state science fair is the international science and engineering fair. And that one is really it's called international, but it's always in the United States. It's international because everybody comes to the United States. This time, I think it's in Philadelphia, in May, it's always in May. And some of our kids are going to be there. And 23 of our kids will be there. And the academy, we support this as much as we can. We go there, chaperones, and all that needs to be organized. And we are really lucky because we have really every time we win. Last year, 2017, we had a first place winner in the cell molecular biology area. And this is no cheap affair. Those kids, they rack up dollars. Because you just don't necessarily have one award, you can have two or three awards from different companies, for example. And some kids walk away with five, six, seven thousand dollars. And scholarships. And scholarships, exactly. Gosh knows what that's worth, you know, your whole life. So in extension to the science fair, we also have the Pacific Symposium for Science and Sustainability, which started out as a marine-oriented research symposium. The difference between the science fair and the PS3, as we say in shortcut, is that with the PS3, the students, the high school students and the juniors, they present a talk on PowerPoint or keynote or what have you, instead of a poster. So it's a different challenge, if you wish. Is this within the science fair itself? No, that is a separate procedure, a separate presentation. That is also organized by the Hawaii Academy of Science. And that usually happens in January. So we just had that. It's about 100 students come together from Hawaii and from American Samoa and Pompeii. Oh, Pacific Rim thing. This is probably going to get more and more popular because the issue was more and more important. Exactly. And you cannot ignore talent. Talent is everywhere. And so you have to, and you know, we try very hard to do that. We're supported by NOAA through this and through other sources. 100 students come every year. So it's a little bit smaller event, but it's a very work-intensive event. So it's like, it's like SOAS. It's the Ocean and Earth Science issues. And these kids live in places, including Hawaii, where that's a great moment. And we better be thinking about Ocean and Earth Science if we want to survive our community. As a community and in the world, you know. Yeah. Yeah. So climate change. There must be plenty of discussion. Exactly. Climate change. Another program that we have is the STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic Award. As you may have noticed, the PS3 and the Science Fair are focused on the students. However, the students need mentors and they need support from their environment. And what is their environment? It's the schools. So we have about 200 participating schools. And that was in 2016. This year's numbers are still outstanding. So I'll, I can refer you to the website, Hawaiiacademyofscience.org. You will find more information. It's a nonprofit corporation. A nonprofit corporation, exactly. And basically what we really wanted to do is to say, schools, thank you so much. And 200 schools on average, participate in two different, so they're scored by how many STEM programs, extracurricular STEM programs do they offer. And 10 different extracurricular organizations here in Hawaii participate in it. And then there's a score and then we give the award. And then the final, we have more like an outreach that is collaboration with Dr. Gareth Win-Williams, who has been since 2009, 2009, that was a German word, noign. I'm German originally, right? So some more. I got it. I got it from my Yiddish, I know. So Gareth really has been wonderful in organizing the Hawaii, the Honolulu Science Café. And the Honolulu Science Café approaches more the adult or the person who really wants to know more about science and different speakers coming, different researchers, experts in their fields and present their work to people who are interested. And it's usually a very casual affair. Over a meal. Over a meal, yes. And it originates from France, actually. The Café scientifique. And same idea, right? So that's how it has spread out. I love that idea. It's a great idea. We go down there and videotape them once in a while. Every couple of months we go, depending on what they're doing. And then we play that on OC16. That's one of our OC16 feature shows. So we like going down to the Science Café. But they moved. They were in Kaimukki. And I guess the place wasn't big enough for them. That was good. It was too small. There's more interest. That's wonderful. It's growing. So now they are at the Hazard bistro. Is that the right... H-A-S-R, Hazard. H-A-S-R, yeah, H-A-S-R. That's right here downtown on Hawaii Street. And that seems to be working out well so far. So I mean you've outlined a bunch of things about how people who are not necessarily kids, who want to see this phenomenon, the growth of our kids, and hopefully the growth of the community of science in Hawaii, want to see it, be part of it, help it out. So obviously you can go to the website, Hawaiiacademyofscience.org, and they can participate in some of these things. I think one thing it presents, I don't know if it's too late or what, but if you're starting the Science Fair, the statewide Science Fair, in just a few days, 28th, which is a Wednesday week, Wednesday week at the Convention Center. Is it possible for me to become a judge? Absolutely, yeah. We're always looking for judges, the more the merrier, and any time... Do I have to be a scientist? No, you don't have to be a scientist. You should be a person interested in science, obviously, right, but otherwise there's no prerequisites. If you're interested in helping kids, mentor kids in a sense, for those five, ten minutes that you are at the poster, or learn more about what our students do, absolutely, anybody can come. Now, suppose I don't have the time to be a judge, but I still love to see what's happening. I mean, I'm reminded I need to tell you this one story about the woman, the young girl, with the triangles. I don't know if you remember that, but we were both on the board at the time this happened. She was in the school up the street here, the Priory. And she was from Taiwan originally. There was a lot of diversity in the science fair. And she was studying triangles. And somebody told me, somebody who taught at one of the other schools, Shamanon, I think, was there as a judge, and he said, you've got to go see this woman with the triangles. Triangles? What could be so interesting about triangles? Well, I went down the back end there, and she was demonstrating with her poster about the triangles. She was brilliant, brilliant. And she talked so fast, and she was talking about triangles. And then I realized from the poster that they had invented a triangle for her. Her name, the National, whatever academy, maybe it was the Academy of Science National, they had actually named a triangle after this 15-year-old kid. How cool is that? It's amazing. How cool is that here in Hawaii? This world class. So the question is, can I, as an observer who wants to see like the girl with the triangles, like a movie, can I go? Can I see? Can I walk in on this? We have, after the judging is done, we have an afternoon where the public is invited. Anybody can come, walk in, see what the kids are doing. The kids are still there, so they will answer questions. But the judging is over. So we have a closed session during the judging, obviously, because we want the students to be able to concentrate. But yes, it's open. There's an open session, and it's posted on our website when exactly what the program is. No charge. No charge. Very nice. And you'll have a program too where the VIPs will speak and try to put all this together for us. We always try to have, I don't want to single anybody out, but we do have great entrepreneurs that speak. Motivationally, we have people from business. We have people from academia. We have people who are engaged with, from the state legislature, who helped. The governor has always, most of the time, has had time to, has given his time or her time to speak at those events. So it's a big affair. Yeah. Well, I spoke for you before when I suggested that you as a scientist, you know, you had a sort of native interest in all this. But I would like to hear it from you, actually, Andrea. How do you feel about the science fair? How do you feel about the connection between this phenomenon of kids doing science and the future of the state? Can you put it in your own words for me? When I came to Hawaii to build my lab, I realized that one of the most important things here in Hawaii, because we are a tight-knit small community, we need succession planning. And so to be honest, I was kind of selfish, in a sense, you know, that I said, oh, what do I do about it? And I stumbled upon the Hawaii Academy of Science. And so I started out mentoring students. So I've had, I don't know how many high school students in my lab actually doing research side by side with me. That's great. I was their mentor and then they would present the poster and I would root for them and I would go, okay, this is fantastic. I did that for 10 years or so. And then I started, okay, now it's time to perhaps become more involved on the administrative side and might bring my knowledge in that way. And that worked out really well as well. So what we're still do, if we can, we still have summer internships in the lab. I'm not so much in the lab anymore. But I love to see the enthusiasm of the kids. And sometimes it's just like, how do I do this? And then you talk to them and then the light comes on. You can see it. When they realize, oh, I get it. I understand what she said, I get it. And you can see it in the eyes and you go, my job is done here. And that is really a wonderful thing. And I want to continue that as much as I can. I know you do. And the one thought that strikes me here at the end of our show is that science appeals to kids of all ages, of all ages. And in a way, you are a kid, just like those kids on the floor of the science fair. And so am I. If you would have told me 50, no, not I was too long, 40 years ago that I would get paid to be a perpetuate student. I would have said, nah, that's what it is. That's what a scientist is. You have to keep learning. You have to keep learning. You can't stop no matter what your age. You start young, you never stop. It's wonderful to have that in Hawaii. Yes. Thank you so much, Andrea. Thank you. Lovely to see you. Thanks for coming down. Thank you, Jay.