The center is a project of the High Technology Development Corporation, an agency of the state's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

The Kihei Charter School STEM Academy's goal will be to prepare students for advanced science and math work when they reach high school, with the expectation that students will continue on to college for further study in STEM disciplines.

"This is yet another positive development in our goal of bringing STEM education opportunities to all of Hawai'i's students," said Gov. Linda Lingle. She described the program as a key part of the Hawa'i Innovation Initiative, designed "to transform our economy and raise the standard of living of all the people of Hawai'i."

Curriculum components at the Kihei Charter School STEM Academy will include critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as information and technology skills. Students will be engaged in relevant, hands-on activities, spending much of their time outside of the classroom and around Maui.

The school will be community-based and have projects that include unique technology and engineering challenges. Students will have opportunities to work alongside scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the MRTC and other agencies.

The Kihei Charter School's STEM program will be expanded to include grade 8 in school year 2008-2009 and move into the high school grades as the first group of STEM students' progress.