From June 9 to June 13, 2025, Keiki Labs collaborated with the Hawai‘i Keiki Museum to host the “Island Explorers: Earth, Sea & Stars” workshop. This immersive program engaged children in hands-on activities that connected them to Hawai‘i Island’s unique natural environment.
Workshop Highlights
Day 1: Crafting the Big Island
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3D Map Creation: Children constructed detailed models of the Big Island, enhancing their understanding of its geography and natural features.
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Agricultural Exploration: Participants learned about local crops and animals by incorporating clay models into their 3D maps, fostering an interactive learning experience.
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Fizzy Volcanoes: An engaging science experiment where children simulated volcanic eruptions using safe, edible materials, combining learning with fun.
Day 2: Water Cycle and Filtration
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Water Cycle in a Bag: A simple experiment demonstrated evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, illustrating the continuous movement of water on Earth.
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Rain Clouds in a Jar: Participants simulated precipitation using shaving cream and food coloring, understanding how rain forms.
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Water Filtration Device: Children designed and built simple water filtration systems, learning about purification methods and the importance of clean water.
Day 3: Ocean Exploration
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Ocean Layers in a Bottle: Children created visual representations of the ocean’s three distinct layers—Sunlight, Twilight, and Midnight Zones—each playing a unique role in maintaining Earth’s health.
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Hands-On Activities: Interactive experiments like creating ocean-in-a-bottle models and simulating ocean currents helped participants understand density, polarity, and the global impact of ocean movements.
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Water Pressure Demonstration: Experiments illustrated how water pressure increases with depth, highlighting the challenges faced by deep-sea creatures.
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Ocean Acidification Discussion: Children learned about the effects of increased CO₂ levels on ocean acidity and its impact on marine life, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts.
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Gratitude and Acknowledgments
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Hawai‘i Keiki Museum for hosting such an inspiring event. Your dedication to fostering a love for learning in young minds is commendable. A special thank you to the participating families for their support and enthusiasm.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on this enriching week, Keiki Labs is excited to continue offering engaging science activities that inspire curiosity and learning. Stay tuned for upcoming workshops, fall camps, and community events designed to nurture a community of young science explorers. We believe that learning is most powerful when it’s fun, truthful, and safe—just like the spirit of Island Explorers Week at Hawai‘i Keiki Museum.
Thank you for being part of our journey to inspire the next generation of thinkers, inventors, and dreamers through the joy of science!