New Jersey high school junior Hanvit Lee felt compelled to support the recovery efforts in Lahaina after witnessing the aftermath of the Maui wildfires. Having visited the island since childhood, she aimed to contribute by designing and selling Maui-themed stickers and tote bags through her nonprofit, Stickers That Heal, with proceeds earmarked for educational equipment at King Kamehameha III Elementary School.
Hanvit collaborated closely with the school’s technology teacher, Sandee Rivas, and principal Michael McCloskey, ultimately selecting a 3D printer intended to enrich students’ learning experiences. Rivas expressed enthusiasm for this donation, stating, “I believe this will be a fantastic way to provide hands-on coding experiences and bring our STEM curriculum to life." She is dedicated to inspiring students with technology, considering 3D printing a bridge between art and engineering.
On August 21, the 3D printer was delivered. Hanvit visited Rivas’ 3rd and 5th-grade technology classes, sharing her coding and technology journey. She demonstrated games she developed, explaining the limitless possibilities of coding. “With coding, you can make your own world, with your own rules,” she noted, encouraging the students to start small and embrace mistakes as part of the learning process.
The visit culminated with Hanvit reading from her children’s book, Vectoria Emmel Codes Her Dreams, which reflects her experiences and the creative potential of coding. Looking forward, she plans to continue her collaboration with Rivas to establish the 3D printing class at the school.