Report Title:

Science

 

Description:

Creates a statewide competition of science and technology with a scholarship to the University of Hawaii and other prizes.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1961

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

relating to science.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that innovative programs and opportunities can foster excitement and encourage study in the fields of science and technology, fields in which the United States and Hawaii are at a comparative disadvantage with other countries. 

     The purpose of this Act is to create a program that will encourage study in the fields of science and technology and, hopefully, be a catalyst for a nationwide program, be a vanguard for innovation, and lead the way into the Asian-Pacific century.

SECTION 2.  There is created within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism a program to run a new state competition to be known as the "American Idol of Science".  The format of the competition will be a school district competition that:

     (A)  will select a winner from that district to represent the district at the State competition;

     (B)  will be held within the district, and shall include all schools in the district, public, private, and science, technology, engineering, and math, also known as "STEM", academies; and

     (C)  will use the qualifications as set forth in this Act.

SECTION 3.    The State Competition:

     (A)  Will be held at a place designated by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism;

     (B)  Shall be televised and broadcast via webcast;

All broadcast and webcast issues shall be decided at the discretion of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

     In exchange for the prize, the winner shall be used in future advertisements and promotions for the advancement of science and technology and the competition.

     SECTION 4.    The competition is open to all schools and "STEM" academies.  There will be 7 judges. 

(A)  One judge shall be the director of Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, or his designee;

(B)  One judge shall be the Dean of the University of Hawaii's College of Business Administration or the Dean's designee;

(C)  One judge shall be a teacher, from any high school, with a science background, as chosen by the Department of Education;

(D)  One judge shall be the Speaker of the House or the Speaker's designee;

(E)  One judge shall be the President of the Senate or the President's designee;

(F)  One judge shall be the Governor of Hawaii or the Governor's designee; and

(G)  One judge shall be an at-large judge from the business, science, technology, or tourism industry, selected by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

     The competition will be judged on:

          (1)  How innovative the project is;

          (2)  How creative the project is;

(3)  How effective the project is in solving a problem facing Hawaii, through science and technology;

          (4)  The quality of the presentation; and

(5)  The use of other disciplines and factors, as determined by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

     SECTION 5.    The prize for the competition will be:

     (1)  First prize is a 4-year scholarship to any school within the University of Hawaii system to study business or science and technology, a cash prize of $_____, and any other award that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism sees fit.

(2)  Second prize is a cash prize of $____, and any other prize that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism sees fit;

(3)  Third prize is a cash prize of $____, and any other prize that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism sees fit; and

(4)  At the discretion of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism can designate any honorable mentions or similar designations.

     SECTION 6.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $___________, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, to run the American of Idol of Science Competition and fund the prizes.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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