It's a Brave New World!

In our 1st year of operation RAI Hawai'i was a member of Cohort #5 of the USC Rossier Ed-Tech Accelerator Program!!

It was an incredible experience, culminating with a cohort pitch session at the 2023 ASU GSV Summit in San Diego.

https://www.edge.usc.edu/accelerator/

Check out the amazing companies all over the world in my incredible cohort!

FIGHT ON Cohort 5!!

b3ecd498-9dd9-4906-950e-be46087820c1_edi

RAI Hawai'i Founder and CEO

A team made of dedicated, inspired, independent educators!

Dr. Phaedra Robinson and her team at RAI Hawai'i, are dedicated and passionate teachers and researchers in the field of Computer Science and STEAM education.

We are committed to empowering children of all ages and abilities through access to research based programs which are innovative, and interactive, facilitated by experienced, licensed teachers, interns as peer-teachers, and community experts.

Our founding member teachers each have 20+ years of experience teaching, and hold graduate degrees in education.

We believe in STEM + Art + Metacognition + Mindfulness for all of Hawai'i's keiki from the earliest age.

Dr. Phaedra Robinson

Founder & CEO

These robots changed my life! I first met Kebbi the coding robot in 2021, online at a USC Rossier School of Education alumni networking event. I fell in love with this adorable little robot, and was inspired by the infinite possibilities for children to create and learn about coding by programming robots.

In 2022, with over 30 years of teaching experience from preschool to college, and graduate degrees in Education, I created an impactful program in a field that I am very passionate about-Computer Science and Educational Technology!

In RAI Hawai'i's first year we created or sponsored over 17 free mobile Makerspaces with 'coding playgrounds' all over the island of Oahu reaching over 250 kids aged 3-23 in a mission to bring the movement of "Coding for All" to include all of Hawai'i's and Pacific Island keiki.

TEAM MEMBERS

Dr. Laura Morrison - Dr. Morrison our research partner holds a doctorate in Education with a focus on promising practices with pre-service teacher education. She is an sessional instructor in the College of Education at UH West O'ahu and a professor at Ontario Tech University. Her areas of expertise include online teaching and learning, critical digital literacies and making and STEAM for education.

Olivia DeMarco- Volunteer member for our free coding events. Olivia is a student at UH Manoa currently working on a degree in education and is a preschool teacher in West Oahu.

1st YEAR FOUNDING MEMBERS

Gary Emelle -Gary volunteered his time in establishing our program in its' first year. He has a BA in Psychology from Bradley University, a Masters in Early Education/Special Education, and a Masters in Administration/Leadership, from the University of New Orleans. He has 21 years teaching experience in both special education and general education, and was an administrator for 5 years as a High School Vice Principal, and for 1 year at an Elementary School.

Veronica Willkie - Roni graciously volunteered her time in establishing our program in its' first year. has a BS in Early Ed, a BA in Elementary Ed from Auburn, and a MEd in Special Education from Chaminade University, and has taught in the classroom for 28 years, for 5 years was a Curriculum Coordinator.