By Suzanne Sato ’67
A game designer and a linguist walked into a room … Between them, Daniel Richardi, a computer programmer, teacher and game designer from Conway, New Hampshire, and Samantha Berman, who majored in linguistics and computer programming at Harvard before relocating to Hawai‘i, bring 16 years of teaching experience to Punahou’s Computer Science classes for more than 100 students in the Punahou Academy. By 2026, their classes, now housed in Castle Hall, will find a new home in the Technology Lab and Classroom in the Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons. Student numbers are expected to grow.
Computer Science is part of Punahou’s K – 12 Design Technology and Engineering Department (DTE) and the three new technology spaces in the Pukui Learning Commons will expand the network of unique DTE spaces throughout the Kosasa Community, Case Middle School and Mamiya Science Center, home of the Ken Richardson Learning Lab (KRLL). In preparation, Richardi and Berman have been planning for Computer Science furnishings and technology in collaboration with IT. At the same time, DTE Director, Eddie Kinnear, has been considering equipment for the spacious new Innovation Lab which will house state-of-the-art fabrication tools and significantly expand and complement the capacity of KRLL. Together these technology spaces share a commitment to student-centered learning to solve real-world problems.
On the upper level of the Learning Commons, the large Extended Reality (XR) tech lab will be divided into space for AI, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality equipment and video screen display with open floor space for moving through virtual space – think KRLL for Computer Science. The other half of the XR space will house high-powered desktop stations with two monitors each, which can be shared with eSports. Higher power laptops for specialized work, design projects or research will allow students to use time in the lab more productively. There will also be flexible seating for visitors or presentations.
The adjacent CSCC (Computer Science Collaborative Classroom) will be less about equipment and more about the collaborative process with whiteboards and movable screens and furniture. Richardi’s and Berman’s primary focus is on problem-solving and algorithmic thinking, trying to get students comfortable with the smaller steps they need to master in order to solve larger problems.
In addition to designing the physical teaching space, Richardi and Berman have developed a curricular map with two pathways to AP Computer Science, both starting with Intro to Computer Programming. The AP Computer Science Pathway focuses on principles and the AP CS course and the Creative Pathway heads off toward game design and includes programmatic art. Students will be able to test into an appropriate level of computer programming competency.
On the lower level of the Pukui Learning Commons, the DTE Innovation Lab will be equipped with powerful design and digital fabrication tools, empowering students to conceptualize and bring their innovative ideas to reality with laser cutters, 3D printers, multimedia graphic printers and complementary analog tools.
With three new technology spaces in addition to KRLL in the heart of the Academy, Richardi, Berman and Kinnear believe that “Access to these resources will completely alter the level of projects that students are able to undertake. The goal in the Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons is for the whole building to feel collaborative.”
Learn more about the Learning Commons project at learningcommons.punahou.edu