The photo above shows Pacific Astronomy and Engineering Summit students exploring Maunakea at sunset during the inaugural event in 2013.

Media release from the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center:

The second annual Pacific Astronomy and Engineering Summit (PAES), hosted by ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, coordinated by the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Conference Center and sponsored by sponsored by the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development and Mauna Kea Astronomy Outreach Committee (MKAOC) which is hosted by ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, will gather high school students and educators from the TMT partner countries: Japan, China, India, Canada and the United States (Hawai‘i). Held from July 21-25, 2014 at ‘Imiloa, located on the upper campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, the summit will be an intensive five-day forum focused on astronomy and engineering.

This year’s theme, “He Lani Ko Luna, He Honua Ko Lalo: the sky above, the earth (and the sea) below and all that is encompassed therein,” is derived from a Hawaiian proverb that speaks about the synergistic relationship among the sky, earth, ocean and all forms of life. Each day will feature a different facet of the overarching theme. Participants will explore Hawai‘i’s culture and various areas of science in order to understand how the atmosphere above Hawaiʻi interacts with the land and sea below to create the world’s best place for conducting observational astronomy. Most importantly, the summit will highlight some of the exciting discoveries being made from Maunakea, the world’s premiere site for astronomy, as scientists look to advance humanity’s quest in space exploration.

Using the models of the acclaimed Ritsumeikan Japan Super Science Fair and the International Student Science Fair, students will have an opportunity to interact with professionals and experts within the science fields, especially those associated with astronomy and engineering on Maunakea, and to exchange ideas and solutions which advance their interest in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) disciplines. Participants will also experience the natural wonders of Hawai‘i through field trips to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and to the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy at Halepōhaku on Maunakea.

The Thirty Meter Telescope partner countries are represented by Ritsumeikan High School (Japan), Ritsumeikan Keisho High School (Japan), Kalani High School (Hawai‘i), Modern High School for Girls (India), Shawnigan Lake School (Canada), Beijing Planetarium (China), ‘Iolani High School (Hawai‘i), Moloka‘i High School (Hawai‘i) and the Revealing Individual Strengths for Excellence (RISE) youth program (Hawai‘i).

For further information on the 2014 Pacific Astronomy and Engineering Summit, visit http://www.paes.hawaii-conference.com, or contact PAES Coordinator, Celeste Haʻo at paes@imiloahawaii.org.

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i is a cultural science center located on the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo campus. ‘Imiloa is a place of life-long learning where the power of Hawai‘i’s cultural traditions, our legacy of exploration and the wonders of astronomy come together to provide inspiration for generations. The Center’s interactive exhibits, 3D full dome planetarium, native landscape, programs and events engage families, and visitors in the wonders of science and technology found in Hawai‘i. It is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays). For more information, visit the website at imiloahawaii.orgʻImiloa Astronomy Center media release – July 11, 2014