Pascale Pinner

Hilo, HI | 7-12, Science, 2003

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

“Life is not a dress rehearsal” Engaging in teaching, research, and professional development has enhanced my ability to develop rigorous lessons supporting student success, as well as facilitate learning opportunities for my colleagues. Curriculum development has nurtured my passion for ensuring all students receive hands-on, minds-on science instruction aligned with the goals of the NGSS.

What has been the most transformative moment that affirmed your impact on STEM education?

My commitment to nurturing a love for science and empowering students to tackle real-world problems continues to shape my leadership journey. As the President of the Hawaii Science and Technology Museum Board, I have garnered funding to establish a variety of STEM learning experiences for the students in our community. Recently I obtained grant funding from the National Science Foundation. This funding opened new opportunities to expand STEM programming to all areas of our island, including those who are very disadvantaged and rural. Overall, this partnership has provided a new professional pathway for me to continue my leadership foci on science and STEM opportunities for all of our keiki (children).

Using your platform as a Presidential Awardee, how do you hope to advance our nation in STEM?

As a teacher leader, I believe it is my responsibility to find, communicate and facilitate ways to support our rural, smaller communities. Obtaining funding for programs here on Hawaii island would be an investment in many careers, including environmental management, agriculture, biomedical research, oceanography, geology, astronomy, and energy resources. Our children could study in STEM careers, and then come home to make a difference in their own community.

Biography

Dr. Pinner has taught Earth & Space science to 8th grade Hilo Intermediate School students on the Big Island of Hawaii for over 37 years. Pascale also shared her passion for teaching with pre-service educators as a math/science methods lecturer at the University of Hawaii-Hilo. Dr. Pinner has procured numerous grants, including a Math/Science Partnership (MSP) Title IIb grant where her services as the Curriculum Coordinator/Co-Principal Investigator impacted over 1500 students. Over the last four years, funding from grants and participating schools has allowed Dr. Pinner to continue developing Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) curricula. Currently, Pascale works with 54 elementary teachers in grades 3-6 to implement hands-on NGSS-aligned lessons to over 2100 students on the east side of Hawaii island. Pascale earned a B.A. in Biology and a Secondary Teaching Certificate from University of Hawaii at Hilo. A Professional Certificate in Secondary Education and National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Science followed these degrees. Dr. Pinner completed her PhD in Educational/Teacher Leadership from Concordia University Chicago in 2012. Dr. Pinner currently serves as the President of the Hawaii Science & Technology Museum Executive Board and has received many awards including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching, the Hawaii State Teacher of the Year (2008), and was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame (2025). Dr. Pinner also completed the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship in the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. Pascale has published and presented at a number of regional, national, and international conferences, where she continues to share her enthusiasm for all things science and STEM.

The views expressed in awardee profiles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF or the PAEMST program.