While some college-bound seniors and underclassmen are still honing in on prospective career paths, students at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama are already well on their way to cultivating potential job opportunities.
More than a dozen haumāna took three courses, equivalent to nine credits, this school year, and received certificates of competence in plant-food production and technology at Windward Community College.
Students completed courses in orchid culture, ethnobotany and independent study-and-research as part of the innovative dual-credit program. They also gained knowledge of and skills related to the use of plants, tissue culture and food sciences.
The students are working towards Certificates of Achievement in agripharmatech, a 30-to-32 credit program offered at WCC. The program is organized in two tracks: plant biotechnology – which deals with developing an improving plant production with the goal of bolstering the world’s ability to produce healthier and nutritious food crops and plant-derived pharmaceuticals – and ethnopharmacognosy, the study of traditional medicines derived from natural sources.
After earning these certificates, students will be prepared for employment in multiple fields including agricultural biotechnology, plant-based product manufacturing, and entrepreneurship in agribusiness. The credits can also be transferred to higher degree institutions for those pursuing career opportunities in agriculture, pharmacy and related fields.
KS Kapālama Science Department Head Chris Blake and fellow kumu encourage students to take advantage of these dual-credit opportunities in an ongoing effort to bolster the college-going culture amongst Native Hawaiian learners.
TAGS
sp2020 goal 2,sp2020 goal 4
CATEGORIES
Kaipuolono Article, Regions, Ko’olau, Themes, Leadership, Newsroom, Campus Programs, Kapalama
Print with photos
Print text only
