TEA Centers: Kiai Loko Center for Limu (algae) Research

部落学院和大学计划（TCUP）的一个目标是促进TCUP机构内的知识领导力的进步，这将支持他们解决其部落，社区或广泛的美国的科学或工程优先事项。与这一目标相关联的是TCU企业发展中心（TEA中心）资助链，该资助链为TCUP机构提供支持，建立基于主题的中心，其工作应用学院的STEM教学和研究能力，以实现其确定的社区的利益。由夏威夷大学-迎风社区学院的人员构思和管理的Kiai Loko Limu研究中心直接与TEA中心的概念保持一致，这将对当地夏威夷原住民（NH）社区和夏威夷原住民文化产生重大的积极影响。该中心的合作伙伴WCC与非营利STEM组织和当地知识保管人在两个主要目标：1）推进水产养殖和limu（藻类）生态学的跨学科知识，以支持社区需求;和2）培训下一代夏威夷土著STEM专业人员在这些领域的知识。 将开展一系列综合活动，包括支持学生主导的研究，解决社区问题-围绕limu确定的议程和完成STEM证书，这将为NH学生进入STEM劳动力或追求更高的STEM教育做好准备。Kiai Loko Limu研究中心专注于传统夏威夷土著知识的应用，以及西方科学方法在研究中的应用。对夏威夷原住民来说很重要的问题，与limu和传统的夏威夷鱼塘有关。在维护健康的鱼塘和生产limu中采用的水产养殖实践是夏威夷原住民传统生活方式的重要方面，这些生活方式有助于解决粮食安全，生物多样性和文化延续等关键的当代问题。该中心的五年目标合作伙伴社区成员，夏威夷原住民文化专家和STEM专业人员在从事120夏威夷原住民高中学生在文化相关的STEM课程，学生实习，并完成STEM证书，准备学生的职位作为水产养殖技术人员。以学生为主导的研究将解决对NH人重要的与limu相关的问题，推进围绕limu生态和生产的知识基础。学术途径的发展将支持学生过渡到并完成STEM大学学位，并进入其他STEM专业。研究结果将在社区和专业会议上广泛传播，并通过科学出版物。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

A goal of the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) is to promote the advancement of intellectual leadership within TCUP institutions that will support them in addressing the scientific or engineering priorities of their tribes, communities, or broadly of the United States. Linked with this goal is the TCU Enterprise Advancement Centers (TEA Centers) funding strand which provides support for TCUP institutions in establishing thematically based centers whose work applies the college’s STEM instruction and research capacity to realize benefits for their identified community. The Kiai Loko Center for Limu Research, conceived and managed by personnel from the University of Hawaii - Windward Community College, directly aligns with the TEA Center concept in the significant positive impacts it will have on the local Native Hawaiian (NH) community and Native Hawaiian culture generally. The Center partners WCC with non-profit STEM organizations and local knowledge keepers in two major goals: 1) advancing cross disciplinary knowledge of aquaculture and limu (algae) ecology in support of community needs; and 2) training the next generation of Native Hawaiian STEM professionals knowledgeable in these realms. A slate of comprehensive activities will be undertaken that includes the support of student-led research addressing a community-determined agenda around limu and the completion of STEM certificates that will prepare NH students for entry into the STEM workforce or the pursuit of higher STEM education.The Kiai Loko Center for Limu Research focuses on the application of traditional Native Hawaiian knowledge alongside Western scientific methods in the study of questions important to Native Hawaiians related to limu and the traditional Hawaiian fishpond. Aquacultural practices employed in the maintenance of healthy fishponds and the production of limu are important aspects of traditional Native Hawaiian lifestyles that contribute to critical contemporary issues such as food security, biodiversity, and cultural perpetuation. The Center’s five-year objectives partner community members, Native Hawaiian cultural experts, and STEM professionals in engaging 120 Native Hawaiian high school students in culturally relevant STEM courses, student internships, and the completion of STEM certificates that prepare students for positions as aquaculture technicians. Student-led research will address limu-related issues of importance to NH people, advancing the knowledge base surrounding limu ecology and production. The development of academic pathways will support students in transitioning to and completing STEM college degrees and entry into additional STEM professions. Research findings will be disseminated widely at community and professional meetings and through scientific publications.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.