Hawaiʻi Island keiki build, fly, code, and pitch. Free.
In 2025, 1,030 people flew drones at our Science Nights. 114 took a 3D printer home for six weeks and finished a design. 49 middle schoolers from 13 schools pitched food-security solutions at UH Hilo. Hawaiʻi Island will add about 25,000 workers and 8,600 living-wage jobs this decade. These students are the start of that pipeline.
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1,030
people at Science Nights drone stations
114
participants in our
6 - week 3D printer program
49
students from 13 schools in FishTank 2025
18
high school mentors who gave 81 volunteer hours
Every program was tuition-free. Read the 2025 Programs Report.
25,000 new workers. 8,600 living-wage jobs.
The Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative's Workforce Understory estimates that about 25,000 people will enter Hawaiʻi Island's workforce over the next decade, competing for about 8,600 living-wage job openings. NexTech gives keiki their first hands-on work with the tools those jobs use: CAD, coding, drones, and engineering design. Our Career Match events put each high schooler across the table from a local engineer. Students leave with a finished project, a new skill, and an adult in their field they can call.
Source: Civil Beat, August 2026
News!
We have new drones! See these in action at an upcoming Science Night event.
Join us at the He Ala Pono EV and Sustainability Fair on Saturday, November 7. Come and join the fun!
Career Connected Learning - our secret sauce
This is a critical part of our mission to inspire students toward their desired careers and build professional ties for future learning and career experiences. This approach is foundational to our programs and is especially evident in our Exploration Workshops and Career Mentoring. Learn more about our approach to career-connected learning.
3D Printer and CAD
Our 3D Printer Program is a free 6-week exploration and learning opportunity for Hawaii Island students and their families. To learn more and to reserve your spot, visit our 3D Printer Program page.
Our Programs
STEM Exploration Days and Advanced STEM Camps
These programs offer in-depth STEM-related skills training and project opportunities. Camps cover computer coding skills, CAD/3D printing, drone programming and operation, robotics, engineering design, and more. Learn more.
Science Nights and Days
This is a collaboration with Hawaii Science and Technology Museum. We offer elementary school students hands on experiences with drones and other technologies.
Career Mentoring
High school students are paired with STEM professionals. Younger students meet with mentors in small groups. Essential career skills (leadership, communication, collaboration) are emphasized, and students are offered interest assessments.
FishTank Sustainability Design Challenge
49 students from 13 schools competed in 2025, a 163% jump over 2024. A competition tops out at a few dozen students, so we paused it for 2026 to build a FishTank Classroom Curriculum designed to reach hundreds. We will test components in 2026 and pilot in 2027. Teachers who want to help shape it can email admin@nextechhawaii.org.