Student Success Stories

Established in 2006, the Gene-ius Day Program has been dedicated to bringing science to the lives of students. We have run a variety of programs including: the Saturday Gene-ius Day Program, the Summer Gene-ius Day Program, Agricultural & Environmental Awareness Day, the Hawai’i AgDiscovery Program, and so much more. In total, over 55,781 students in the K-12 age range have participated in at least one of our programs! They have learned to develop their interest in science, foster creativity, and pursue their education. We wanted to highlight a few of our students that have been highly successful, both in their high school studies and research, their collegiate degrees, and even their careers.

Danica

I began my journey with the Gene-ius Day Program through my participation in Saturday Gene-ius Day when I was in 4th grade. I have also worked within the program as a High School Intern and am currently employed by the Gene-ius Day Program as an undergraduate student assistant. Because of my extensive time in the program, I was able to explore a wide range of fields, such as biology, forensics, and environmental science. Being exposed to so many areas of STEM encouraged me to take more advanced science courses in high school and throughout my college career. I also discovered a passion for helping others through my work as a High School Intern and Undergraduate Assistant, supporting instructors and program coordinators in leading lessons. I’ve been inspired to pursue science as a profession and am currently majoring in Nursing with a minor in Public Health. Ultimately, my goal is to become a neonatal nurse or a labor & delivery nurse. I hope to use the skills I’ve gained through the Gene-ius Day Program and the Public Health Department to give back to the broader Hawaiʻi community.

Camryn

I had the opportunity to participate in the Hawaiʻi AgDiscovery Program (HADP) the summer before my senior year of high school. During my time in HADP, I developed an appreciation for agriculture by interacting with local businesses, farms, veterinarians, the USDA, and other government agencies. I discovered a passion for natural resources and biotechnology, which later inspired me to serve as a HADP chaperone for four years. Working as a chaperone reignited my love for agriculture. Through both my experiences as a participant and a mentor in HADP, I gained valuable skills in leadership, mentorship, and teamwork. I have since graduated from college with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. My experiences in the Hawaiʻi AgDiscovery Program helped me become a leader during my college years and ultimately led me to pursue my current role as an Accounts Payable Specialist for the Lakefield Veterinary Group in Kent, WA.

Royce

I started participating in the Gene-ius Day Program in 3rd grade! I began in the Saturday Gene-ius Day Program, later became a GEAR-Up qualified student, and eventually had the opportunity to work as a high school intern. While in college, I also served as a Hawaiʻi AgDiscovery Chaperone. The Gene-ius Day Program allowed me to learn and experience science in a fun and highly interactive way. Through these hands-on experiences, I gained biotechnology skills and developed my scientific inquiry—both of which I use extensively in my academics and career. Without Gene-ius Day, I wouldn’t be as passionate about STEM education or involved in critical healthcare research projects. These experiences inspired me to earn my B.S. in Human Biology with a minor in Health Care Studies at the University of Southern California (USC). I’m also earning my M.S. in Global Medicine with an emphasis on Interprofessional Healthcare at USC. Participating in the Gene-ius Day Program led me to pursue roles in STEM, including working as a Medical STEM Program Teaching Assistant for the USC Joint Educational Project and a Teaching Assistant for statistics. My goal is to teach cancer biology to 3rd grade students in South Central LA.

Mana

I began participating in the Gene-ius Day Program as a Saturday student in the 3rd grade. From a young age, I was curious and eager to explore new things, and Gene-ius Day gave me the space to engage with science in a fun, hands-on way. These early experiences sparked my interest in STEM and helped me imagine myself in a future career centered around science and helping others. Over the years, I stayed connected to the program—first as a high school intern and now as an undergraduate assistant. Each stage of involvement has deepened my appreciation for science education and inspired me to take on more advanced coursework. I am currently pursuing a B.S. in Biology at UH Mānoa on the Pre-Med track. While I’m still exploring the exact path I’ll take, my goal is to become a physician specializing in pediatric care—whether that’s general pediatrics, pediatric oncology, or another field that allows me to serve children and their families with compassion. Gene-ius Day has been instrumental in shaping my academic journey and career aspirations. I’m incredibly grateful for its role in helping me grow as a student and future healthcare professional.

Chloe

I was in the Gene-ius Day Program from my kindergarten year till my freshman year of high school (K-9). Currently, I am a junior at ‘Iolani School, and plan to graduate next year! Thanks to the GENIUS Day Program, I have been grateful to foster my passion for science in my high school years. First, I am honored to participate in my school’s Science Olympiad Team: where students across the state compete in a wide variety of STEM based topics. Over the years, I have gotten the chance to focus on subjects surrounding sustainable energy, microbiology, earth science and weather dynamics, and ecology. Additionally, I am very grateful to have participated in research in conjunction with ‘Iolani School, Bishop Museum, and other collaborators. I first started out my journey surveying native and invasive algae in Haleiwa Bay, and now am currently working on researching Native Hawaiian Land Snail, or kāhuli, captive rearing practices and dietary knowledge. Through this project, I have been able to compete in the Hawai’i State Science Fair and present my research at the International Science and Engineering Fair this past year. GENIUS Day was an amazing experience and opportunity for my younger self. The program curriculum was my first exposure to the world of science, and I believe sparked my passion for learning about our world. Through the fun, collaborative, and hands-on labs the curriculum was engaging and appropriate for each grade level that I was in at the time. The labs also sparked my interest in science way before I was introduced to the topic in a school setting. Therefore, getting exposure, especially when I was young, was essential for developing my drive and confidence to become a member of the STEM community.