pb stands for place-based. This program is at the leading edge of our innovation as students dive deeper into learning out in the field. Students learn their foundational skills in their on-campus and Zoom classes; then they put that into practical application as they work at our community partner sites around the islands.

It is clear to our pbHTA students why they are learning something because they see it being directly applied. For example, when our Waipahu students built an outdoor stage at Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village, they naturally used their math skills as they designed, measured, and hammered. This kind of learning can really resonate with students, particularly those who find more meaning in hands-on experiences. It has been shown to improve content mastery, communication and collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving