Maui Preparatory Academy students won awards at the 2016-17 VEX IQ Challenge.

NAPILI – Maui Preparatory Academy recently announced plans to expand its STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) Campus. The school will add 992 square feet to its high school campus, consolidating and expanding assets into a Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurism.

This expansion is the first of many campus development projects set to take place over the next few years.

“The demand for quality educational services in West Maui has increased dramatically. At the same time, much has changed in scientific advancement, technological innovation and science education. The STEAM Campus Expansion Project will expand the school’s interdisciplinary STEAM teaching methodology by providing a hub for interdisciplinary and cooperative projects across disciplines captured within the Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurism,” said Head of School Jonathan Silver.

The Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurism will include a fully integrated engineering/robotics space, Digital Media Lab, and Makerspace. These additional spaces will enable Maui Prep’s greater commitment to such STEAM disciplines as engineering, robotics, computer science, computer-aided design, and 3D modeling.

“Every day at Maui Prep, we dream up new ways to inspire our students to expand their potential,” said Principal Ryan Kirkham. “To do that, we relentlessly evolve how we inspire our teachers and design environments that foster creativity and collaboration. Our STEAM Campus Expansion reflects the best of Maui Prep’s academic philosophy – a place where we shape students’ lives and create possibilities for their futures.”

The Campus Expansion and Renovation Project is estimated to cost $238,328. Maui Prep has received a large pace-setting donation from the Graham Family Foundation and the Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation, securing 65 percent of the project budget.