Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day 2026
Join us for Onizuka Science Day!
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 24, 7:45 am – 2:30 pm
- Location: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- Who: Free community event for all ages (adults must accompany minors)
Highlights & Activities
- Keynote speaker
- Exhibits and demonstrations by local STEM organizations
- Hands-on workshops for students, grades 3–12 (details TBA)
- State Qualifying VEX IQ Robotics Tournament
Workshop Registration
Onizuka Day will include a variety of 1-hour, hands-on workshop sessions geared for students in grades 3–12. Seating is limited and will be assigned in a first-come, first-served basis. Our staff will do our best to place students in their preferred workshops. The list and description of workshops will be available for registration soon!
“Make your life count and the world will be a better place because you tried.”
—Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka
VEX IQ Robotics Competition. Photo: UH Mānoa/HSGC
Schedule of Events
- 7:45 am – 8:45 am — Registration and Check-in (UH Hilo Theater)
- 8:00 am – 1:30 pm — Interactive Booths (UH Hilo Libary Lanai)
- 8:00 am – 3:00 pm — Robotics Tournament
- 9:00 am – 10:00 am — Opening Assembly
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm — Food Trucks
- 10:15 am – 11:15 am — Workshop Session 1
- 11:30 am – 12:30 pm — Workshop Session 2
- 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm — Lunch & Science Demos
- 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm — Closing Assembly
Support Onizuka Day
BOOTH & WORKSHOP REGISTRATION
We are seeking local STEM organizations, businesses, or educators to host a booth or lead a hands-on workshop during Onizuka Day. Workshops include (2) 1-hour sessions and must involve roughly 45 minutes of hands-on activities that are appropriate for students in the range of grades 3–12. If you are interested, please use the links below to register. Mahalo nui for your support!
About Ellison Onizuka
HAWAIʻI'S FIRST ASTRONAUT
Ellison Onizuka was born and raised in Kealakekua on Hawaiʻi Island and earned his degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado. He received a commission in the U.S. Air Force through ROTC and served as an aerospace flight test engineer at McClellan Air Force Base, and at the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base where he logged more than 1,700 hours of flight time.
Lt. Colonel Onizuka was selected as an astronaut candidate in January 1978, becoming the first Asian-American astronaut. He first flew as a mission specialist on STS 51-C—the first Department of Defense Space Shuttle mission—which launched from Kennedy Space Center on January 24, 1985. The mission completed 48 orbits around Earth with Ellison logging a total of 74 hours in space.
Onizuka was also a mission specialist for STS51-L aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger which launched from Kennedy Space Center on January 28, 1986. Tragically, Onizuka and the crew of STS 51-L perished minutes after launch when Challenger exploded during flight. Onizuka was the first astronaut from Hawaiʻi and his life, legacy, and outstanding contributions continue to inspire keiki and the Hawaiʻi community to this day.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
