“I empower students to be open to new challenges and self-advocates for their own learning. The chaos and variety of tools available to students create many opportunities for students to find their expertise and opportunities for success.”

Bryan Silver teaches Manufacturing at Kalani High School in Honolulu, Hawaii. With a degree in Archaeology, his tenure has included teaching History, then Special Education, Science, and Engineering. Silver is always seeking new and alternative teaching activities to reach his students and prepare them for trade school and other post-secondary education opportunities. He uses these skills to make CAD come alive and draw students in to learning more.

Silver takes pride in seeing his students’ confidence grow throughout his program. The journey from safety and theory lessons to design and fabrication is complex, yet comprehensive. With these skills in hand, students can tackle problem analysis and solve real-world issues. Silver is passionate about integrating empathy and designing for others in his curriculum. For example, Silver’s program collaborates with the Health Academy to conceptualize and build assistive technology for their fellow students. He has also worked with a local community college to create a pathway for students into their Pre-Engineering program, which opened the door to internship connections and mentorships from current college students. In their fourth year, students pitch ideas to funders, building large construction projects, and pull in community resources to improve the school campus or a local organization. Silver is proud to foster the talents of young people who can truly make a difference.

Notes of Excellence

  • Silver’s program has two 40-foot shipping containers set up as a fabrication center with 12 3-D printers, three laser engravers, power tools, and portable capability to travel to other schools and offer STEM lessons.
  • Senior community projects have historically won contests at State Science and Engineering fairs, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, ITEEA Reach Challenge, and the woodworking competition Innovation and Imagination.
  • Silver has built young women’s enrollment in his program from five percent to 40 percent, with many of them taking on lead roles for projects.