ABOUT

​Elemental Minds offers programs that help children build and develop their thinking, leadership, collaboration, and communication skills.  The activities and curriculum offer children a true STEM learning experience.

Charles Souza Jr. is currently a Technology Integration Specialist for the State of Hawaii Department of Education.  He previously held a position as a STEM resource teacher for the State of Hawaii and taught mathematics at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School for 15 years.

 

While at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School, Charles served as the Mathematics Department Chairperson and as a grade-level chairperson. He coached the school’s Mathematics Team and taught both seventh and eighth graders. Charles also served as the middle school coordinator at the school, where he created an advisory curriculum that focused on the development of 21st century skills.

 

Charles has presented sessions at numerous conferences and workshops throughout his career, including the Hawaii Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conferences,  Hawaii International Conferences on Education and at the Hawaii Google Summit. He has presented on many different topics, including student-centered classrooms, integrating technology into the classroom and, transforming the classroom into a real player game.

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Charles is the recipient of the 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).  The PAEMST is the highest honor for teachers of mathematics and science.

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Charles has a B.A. in mathematics and a professional diploma in secondary education from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

Ryan is currently a D.O.E. Science Teacher at Radford High School.  His previous positions include State Resource Teacher for STEM education, and science teacher at Campbell High.  He has 15 years of teaching experience.  Ryan has experience at running robotics camps, workshops, and events, and has presented locally (at many workshops throughout the State of Hawaii) and nationally (at NSTA) on STEM.  

 

Ryan started a Molecular Gastronomy chemistry project/competition which included friendly competition between Radford and Campbell High Schools.  He was also one of the founding teachers of the Radford High Robotics Team, and led the team to many local and national competitions.  The team was honored at the House of Representatives for the their accomplishments.  Ryan has also won an Outstanding Educator Award from Oceanic Cable.  

Ryan has a B.A. in science (emphasis in Chemistry) and a Masters in Learning and Assessment from the University of Hawaii.