HONOLULU — The University of Hawaii hosted a free program in June that provided hands-on interactive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities rooted in cultural identity to encourage Native Hawaiian students to attend UH. 

Nearly 100 Native Hawaiian students in grades 6 to 12 from Hawaii and the continental U.S. took part in the program, according to a news release.

The Summer Institute, run by Nā Pua Noʻeau UH Mānoa, hopes to give the students an idea of what it’s like to attend college. 

The Summer Institute’s classes, which took place at UH Manoa’s campus, included 3D printing, brain anatomy, computer-aided design, song composition, lei making and cooking.

“This is my third year doing engineering and I kind of wanted to guide myself down that path because that's what I plan to do in the future. And this program really helps me prepare for that,” said Kavin Ing, an incoming UH Manoa engineering freshman and Kamehameha Schools graduate.

One of the most popular classes involved 3D waʻa or canoe printing. Graduate students from the UH Manoa Native Hawaiian Science & Engineering Mentorship Program worked with Summer Institute participants to teach them about 3D design and print.