In Hawai‘i, where tradition and innovation meet, a new story is being written for students: one where their voices, creativity, and cultural heritage are amplified through technology. At the heart of this movement is MAD-learn’s partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Education, a collaboration that is giving students across the islands the tools to create mobile apps, embrace design thinking, and prepare for the careers of tomorrow.
This partnership is about more than coding. It’s about bridging culture with computer science, entrepreneurship with education, and student voice with global opportunity. From Maui to O‘ahu to Molokai, students are proving that they are not only ready to consume technology—they are ready to create it.
Honoring Culture Through Code with MEDB STEMworks: Molokai’s Story
Our work on Maui has been strengthened through a valued partnership with MEDB STEMworks, an organization dedicated to advancing STEM education across Hawai‘i. Together, we hosted both a student App Camp and a teacher professional development (PD) session that gave educators hands-on experience with MAD-learn.
After the PD, teachers were inspired to design their own apps to model creativity and entrepreneurship for their students. For example, Mishelle Oh created Light Story Photos, an entrepreneurship-focused app she used in her classroom as an example project.
Another teacher developed Hula Class Maui, where users can register to learn hula dance steps and more—blending cultural traditions with technology in an engaging and meaningful way.
One of the most inspiring examples comes from Kaunakakai Elementary School on Moloka‘i. Here, fifth-grade teacher Kawika Gonzales—a passionate advocate with more than 20 years of classroom experience—is showing what happens when Hawaiian culture and technology are woven together. His students began their MAD-learn journey by coding an app to keep score for ‘Ulu Maika, a traditional Hawaiian game similar to bowling.
Suddenly, coding wasn’t just an abstract concept. It became a way to preserve and share culture, while building 21st-century skills.
Some of the incredible student projects include:
School Program – A classroom app filled with prompts for storytelling, art, movement, and games to keep students engaged.
‘Ulu Maika Project – An app connecting traditional Hawaiian sports to 3D printing and robotics, expanding cultural heritage into the realm of modern STEM.
As Gonzales proudly shared:
“My students always ask me, ‘Mr. Gonzales, can we work on our app?’ It’s an honor to see them so excited. We’re even showcasing our work at STEM Night, where families will see how our ‘Ulu Maika app connects to robotics and 3D printing.”
By connecting technology to identity, these students are learning that their culture is not only relevant but essential in shaping the future.
Building Entrepreneurs and Innovators: Nānākuli–Wai‘anae Complex Area
On O‘ahu’s leeward coast, the Nānākuli–Wai‘anae Complex Area has become a hub of MAD-learn innovation. Schools in this region have embraced app development on an impressive scale.
At Makaha Elementary, students in Jessica Mishima-Donahue’s STEAM lab participated in the Lemonade Challenge, where they became entrepreneurs—designing custom recipes, creating branded flyers, and building mobile apps to sell lemonade. This single project merged financial literacy, marketing, and technology into a real-world showcase of student creativity and business savvy.
And the growth numbers speak for themselves over the last two years:
- Teacher usage: +325%
- School participation: +75%
- Student usage: +1,964%
Student-created apps have ranged from entertainment to world-changing ideas:
Epic Expeditions – An adventure game app.
My lemonade – An app that allows you to purchase delicious lemonade.
Students’ reflections capture the impact best. As one rising 9th grader put it:
“The workshop felt like something I could actually use in real life. The tool was so easy to use that even my younger siblings could build apps.”
From playful creativity to serious problem-solving, students are proving that when you give them the tools, they don’t just rise to the occasion—they innovate beyond expectations.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Campbell–Kapolei Complex
In the Campbell–Kapolei Complex, MAD-learn’s partnership began unexpectedly.
When a last-minute substitute teacher with no coding background was assigned to lead a computer science class at Kapolei High School, MAD-learn stepped in with its ready-to-use curriculum and training. What could have been a stopgap solution became a catalyst for lasting change.
Soon, multiple Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers adopted MAD-learn, and students across Kapolei began developing their own apps. One standout project was “About Me” apps. By creating apps about their own interests, students weren’t just learning tech skills—they were exploring what excites them most. Along the way, teachers gained a window into their students’ passions, sparking stronger connections and fostering a true sense of classroom community. A playful shared theme—the “class party cat”—wove these apps together, highlighting both individuality and collaboration.
This story illustrates a key truth: with the right support, even unexpected challenges can spark long-term transformation while strengthening student-teacher relationships and classroom culture.
Expanding Horizons Across the Islands: GEARing UP for Success
The MAD-learn partnership continues to grow across Hawai‘i, reaching more students and educators each year through collaboration with GEAR UP Hawai‘i and numerous other schools and complexes. Together, we’ve facilitated professional development sessions, hosted App Camps, and shared student success stories at conferences nationwide.
Wai‘anae High School Summer App Camp (O’ahu): In partnership with GEAR UP, MAD-learn hosted a two-day camp where juniors and seniors used our six-step design thinking process to develop apps like:
BetterMent – Focused on physical health and nutrition.
Mental Health – Helping students manage stress and mental wellness.
I‘ao Intermediate School (Maui): Students were challenged to identify local problems and design apps to address them—fusing computer science with civic engagement and local problem-solving. Here are some app examples:
The Photosynthesiser – an app that helps water vapor be created more quickly leading to more rain and less period of drought. Fires do not start as quickly if the plants and trees are watered.
Pollution Patrol – a robotic dog patrols the beaches and cleans away trash.
These camps and workshops, made possible through GEAR UP’s support, give students hands-on access to technology while showing them how app development can connect to their communities, cultures, and futures.
Beyond the Classroom: Virtual Student Internships with MAD-learn
The work doesn’t stop when the school year ends. This summer, MAD-learn had the honor of hosting students from the Nānākuli–Wai‘anae Complex Area as virtual interns, giving them a front-row seat to the inner workings of a global edtech company. Our internship program is designed to empower students once they’ve engaged with MAD-learn in some capacity—whether through camps, workshops, or classroom use.
As a fully remote team with members in the United States, Ghana, and India, we provide students with a unique experience of working across time zones, collaborating with mentors and peers around the world. Interns contribute to design, marketing, and app development projects, building skills that go far beyond the classroom.
In addition to the virtual experience, interns had the opportunity to meet our amazing Curriculum and Implementation Specialist, Caroline Westervelt, in person during one of the App Camps, gaining direct mentorship and insight into how MAD-learn supports students and teachers on the ground. For MAD-learn, the program brings fresh perspectives and creative energy, while for students, it provides a transformative career-building experience.
In their own words:
Acacia K. B. reflected:
“My journey with MAD-learn was a very enjoyable experience. I loved applying what I learned in my Digital Design class and improving skills like creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and even digital marketing. These skills will definitely help me in college and my future career.”
Logan L. C. shared:
“My internship with MAD-learn was rewarding and eye-opening. As a Graphic Designer and Social Media Advisor, I got to balance creative design work with marketing. I always felt supported by my mentors—Doreen, Alefiya, Alexandra, Caroline, and Ashu—and encouraged me to bring new ideas to the table. It made learning fun, exciting, and motivating.”
Through this virtual internship program, students not only learned about technology but also about teamwork, communication, and leadership—skills that will serve them for life.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The partnership between MAD-learn and the Hawai‘i Department of Education is about much more than teaching coding. It’s about empowering students as creators, innovators, and leaders.
From a fifth grader coding a Hawaiian bowling app on Moloka‘i, to high schoolers designing mental health tools in Wai‘anae, to interns collaborating virtually with a global team, the story is the same: when students are given the tools and opportunities, they rise to the challenge.
We are deeply proud of what has already been accomplished, but we know this is only the beginning. Together, we can continue to expand access, inspire more educators, and support thousands more students across the islands.
To learn more about how your school or students can get involved, email team@mad-learn.com. Join us in empowering Hawai‘i’s students to not just prepare for the future—they are creating it.