Tech Pau Hana in West Hawaii

Understanding Electrostatic Lunar Dust and its Implications on Space Exploration

Presentation by: Kealakehe Robotics MoonRiders Team

With the help of PISCES, a set of students at Kealakehe High School is working to research and educate our community about the nature of lunar dust.  Since the 1960, NASA and academics around the world have sought to understand the proprieties of this unique material of our closest celestial partner.  Hawaii Island's geochemistry shares many properties with this fine dust and may offer a test play ground for future exploration of both the Moon and Mars.  Come hear from some of our community's youngest scientists on the work they are doing to understand electrostatic moon dust.  Learn about how this dust could impact local research and what role private space exploration, through programs such as Google Lunar X Prize, could play in their experiments.

Kealakehe Robotics Team has served as a hub for STEM education in West Hawaii for the last 6 years.  The team has won over 50 awards and competitions across 26 different platforms.  Students have the opportunity to propose and receive funding for projects of their own interest that would promote STEM in a sustainable and educational way.  This year the team will travel with over 50 students to 40 competitions across Hawaii, the mainland, Asia, and Australia.

This pau hana is BYOB/potluck, so please bring a pupu and non-alcoholic beverage to share.  Reusable plates and cups are encouraged, as is taking home your own trash. 

RSVP so we can plan for the number of people.

Agenda:
5:00-5:15 p.m. Gather and networking
5:15-6:00 p.m. Presentation and Q&A
6:00-7:30 p.m. More networking