Project STEMulate aims to create, implement, research, and evaluate an innovative industry-aligned problem-based interdisciplinary Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Technology (STEM) curriculum model for underrepresented low-income high school. The project has five components: (1) Development of problem-based high school STEM curriculum adapting the successful Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences Industrial Problem-Solving Workshop’s postsecondary model, (2) Professional development and training, (3) Implementation of curriculum leveraging Upward Bound Math Science’s Summer Academy as a research tool, (4) evaluation to refine process for future larger scale implementation, and (5) provide an open educational curriculum resource.

Three programs joined forces to implement the initial pilot of Project STEMulate during Summer 2014: Ka Hikina O Ka Lā, Upward Bound Math Science, and `Ao`ao O Na Loko I`a O Maui. The mutual goals of promoting STEM education, fostering cultural understanding, and serving students underrepresented in higher education, especially Native Hawaiian students became the foundation for this innovative project.