The annual Windward District Science and Engineering Fair, hosted at Windward Community College in February 2026, drew nearly 300 students from 32 schools. More than 30 University of Hawaiʻi-affiliated faculty, staff and students volunteered as judges and mentors this year.
Windward CC provided engaging activities for students, including a planetarium show at the Hōkūlani Imaginarium and the “CSI Hawaiʻi” Crime Scene Lab. Ross Langston, Windward CC professor of biology and human anatomy, has facilitated the CSI activity for more than 10 years, challenging students to solve a fictitious murder in under 30 minutes.
“The primary goal is to get students to work as a team and apply the scientific method,” said Langston.
Shelley Deakins, a science/STEM resource teacher in the Castle-Kahuku Complex Area, added, “Spending time on a college campus, sharing their projects with experts in the field and receiving encouraging feedback, and doing fun STEM activities are all experiences many students share as reasons why the fair is both enjoyable and meaningful.”
Inspiring possibilities
The partnership between UH and the state’s K-12 science fairs is a pipeline for future STEM professionals. Edwin Colón, UH STEM Pre-Academy program specialist, has served as a judge for more than 30 school, district and state science and engineering fairs in Hawaiʻi and provided technical support to teachers.
“Science fairs are a way to pay it forward to all the teachers who helped me through my science and educational career, helping me become the person I am today,” said Colón. “The most meaningful aspect of the science fair is the hope of one day meeting any of these students walking through a UH campus.”
Deakins acknowledged the impact of UH-affiliated volunteers who support the Windward fair.
“Their support creates meaningful opportunities for students to engage with Hawaiʻi’s scientific community, helps students connect their projects to real scientific work happening here in Hawaiʻi, inspires students, and shows them pathways to future STEM opportunities,” said Deakins.
Read more about how a Radford High School student is using a resource provided by STEM Pre-Academy.