U. of Hawaii ('Future Flight' Space Program)

Seibun Educational International
San Diego, California

November 9, 2001

I am writing this letter to acknowledge our use of Seibun Educational products 
as part of our science and technology programs (summer space science camps 
for students and teachers, school presentations, teacher workshops and courses, and parent/child family science nights) and our recommendation for the high quality educational products which are appropriate for various themes and activities to catalyze student interest in science and technology. We have been conducting space science educational programs and support for teachers for 
the past 15 years to bring relevant and engaging science to our community. 

As the movement toward standards and accountability has come to the forefront of education, there has been a unique opportunity to bring the same quality of expectations and experiences to all children. Regretfully, in light of the assessments being conducted only in reading and math, important content areas such as science, social studies and others have been relegated to a low level of emphasis, and in some cases, have been totally left out of the weekly offerings to students. It is incumbent on community organizations to then offer science and technology educational opportunities directly to the students through informal programs and to directly support teachers who continue to bring that excitement to the classroom. There are several Seibun products that lend well to themes that we conduct as part of our program. In particular, this past summer, we utilized a new solar car kit as part of our lunar exploration program; through this kit, students learned (and became excited about) energy (and alternative energy), motors and gears, and the scientific process. The solar car was taken out on our "mission," where students manipulated variables such as the energy source to get the cars to operate on a lava field. We were so encouraged by the results of our use of the kits with our 110 participants (students and teachers), then we hope to use it this coming summer with 300 participants.

We appreciate the lesson plans that Seibun Educational provides on line, their positive encouragement of the use of their products for education, and the variety of products which are offered. Together in partnership with their organization and products, we seek to bring the excitement of science and technology to our youth and allow them to dream big dreams. In closing, there is a favorite quote that I often use in presentations to the community that shares that visions.

"An extraterrestrial being, newly arrived on Earth-scrutinizing what we mainly present to our children in television, radio, movies, newspapers, magazines, the comics, and many books-might easily conclude that we are intent on teaching them murder, rape, cruelty, superstition, credulity, and consumerism. We keep at it, and through constant repetition many of them finally get it. What kind of society could we create if, instead, we drummed into them science and a sense of hope?" Dr. Carl Sagan, Science as a Candle in the Dark

Thank you to Seibun for bringing to our attention their unique and educational products. 

Sincerely yours,

Art Kimura
Program Director
Future Flight Hawaii

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