Early childhood conference to focus on science learning

“Hawaii Island: Science from Mauka to Makai” is the theme for the eighth annual Hawaii Island Early Childhood Conference, scheduled for April 24-25 at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

The conference is open to anyone who works in or has an interest in the field of early childhood education, from infant-toddler providers to third-grade teachers.

Organized by Baby Steps to Stronger Big Island Families, this year’s conference will feature keynote speakers Dr. Daniel Gartrell, professor emeritus of early childhood and foundations education at Bemidji State University (Minn.), and Eomailani Kukahiko, a Native Hawaiian scholar that works as an assistant specialist for the Curriculum Studies Department at University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Gartrell’s opening night presentation is titled “Happy, Healthy Keiki: The Heart of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education).” The evening includes a light buffet.

There will be 12 workshops Saturday starting at 8 a.m. that will focus around the conference theme, with the opening session by Kukahiko, who will speak on “Akeakamai,” which literally means “lover of wisdom,” and in this context is being used to represent the idea of science. Her presentation will focus on three main ideas: Hawaiian practice and intelligence, connection place and being the change for keiki.

Deadline to register for the conference is April 10. People can register for Friday only, Saturday only, or Friday and Saturday. For a registration form, visit www.BabySTEPSHawaii.org. For more information, contact Gail Judd at 987-8710 or gcjudd@babystepshawaii.org.

The Waikoloa Beach Marriott is offering a special conference room rate; for information visit resweb.passkey.com/go/HIECC2015.

For information on Baby STEPS to Stronger Big Island Families, contact Angela Thomas at 887-1228.