When Dr. Devon Widmer talks about her computer science program at Island Pacific Academy, she isn’t talking about syntax or algorithms — she’s talking about empathy, service, and solving real problems for real people. That philosophy recently earned her statewide recognition.
Dr. Widmer received the Computer Science Honor Society Teachers Award from the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), honoring her leadership as advisor to IPA’s Computer Science Honor Society chapter. Only three teachers in all of Hawaiʻi hold that distinction.
“The recognition from CSTA comes from our honor society’s focus on service and leadership,” said Widmer. “It isn’t enough for students to get good grades — they need to demonstrate a community mindset and find ways to utilize their tech skills outside of the classroom.”
The honor society, built on the core values of equity, service, and excellence, challenges students to move beyond technical proficiency and become ambassadors for computer science in their communities.
That vision is already taking shape in tangible ways. Senior Jinghao Li ’26 built CounselAI, an app designed to expand access to college counseling for students across Hawaiʻi. The project earned Second Place in the Congressional App Challenge for Hawaiʻi’s first congressional district and was selected as a National STEM Festival Champion. More recently, students like Mikaela Mullens ’28 have continued that momentum with recognition in the 2025 Congressional App Challenge. On campus, junior Jaron Alarcon ’27 and sophomore Molly Sorrell ’28 have spent the year as teaching assistants in Game Development and Robotics — sharing what they know and helping classmates grow.
IPA’s computer science curriculum is built from the ground up on project-based learning. Students begin by designing their own apps, games, and websites while mastering Python fundamentals, then progress through game development, robotics, advanced algorithms, and AP Computer Science Principles — a course that examines computing’s role in society and its ethical implications. At every level, the emphasis is the same: learn by doing, build with purpose.
“In Intro to CS, students are transitioning from guided projects to developing their own ideas for apps and games from idea all the way to final product,” Widmer explained. “In Game Development, they’re creating virtual reality environments for a specific faculty or staff member at IPA. And in AP Computer Science Principles, students are preparing to begin the Create Performance Task, in which they must design and implement a program to submit to College Board.”
The skills Dr. Widmer prioritizes go well beyond technical ones. A growth mindset, she says, is essential in a field defined by iteration — debugging, refining, and rebuilding until something works. So is the ability to think like a user.
“Students need to develop empathy by thinking about how users are going to interact with their project. Collaboration skills are also important, as development rarely happens entirely individually.”
With class enrollment growing and more students arriving with strong foundational skills, Dr. Widmer sees the program at an inflection point.
“I’m most excited about the number of students who have built up foundational skills and are ready to truly innovate. With the growth of our classes and the honor society, more students are able to identify real community problems and figure out ways to utilize their tech skills to make a difference.”
That’s what the CSTA award ultimately reflects — not just one teacher’s achievement, but a program where students are learning to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact.
