Pacific Services Center

B-WET Projects

University of Hawai`i, Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology (O'ahu)
This project, Watershed to Coral Health (WAtCH), teaches students to assess and monitor coral reef health and familiarizes students with coral research efforts within Kaneohe Bay on the island of O'ahu - the largest protected bay in the state. The students work in teams and focus on the impacts of invasive algae, coral bleaching, pollution, and terrestrial-based human activities. The project provides students with the necessary tools to understand the challenges faced in protecting and managing coral reefs and how current research is providing a better understanding of possible conservation and management methods.

Community Conservation Network (Big Isle of Hawai`i, O`ahu, Kaua`i, Moloka`i, Maui)
The Kupuna Wisdom Project engaged multi-generational participants of native Hawai`ian elders (kupuna) with youth in marine management and stewardship activities. Youth ranging from elementary, middle, and high school students gathered and applied traditional and cultural resource knowledge from kupuna and documented this knowledge through multi-media technology. By integrating traditional and modern scientific investigations, students developed strategies to more effectively manage marine resources today and for the future. The project provided information to improve the environmental decision-making skills of teachers, students, and the community.

Alaka`ina Foundation (Moloka`i)
The Ho'okuleana Project will support Professional Development for Teachers in Environmental Education to address the needs of Moloka`i educators teaching in underserved communities and communities with significant populations that are traditionally underrepresented in high-growth career fields, i.e. computer science, geographic technologies, environmental, ecological, and natural sciences. This program builds upon the collaboration between DLNR-DAR and Maui Community College's environmental science curricula, known as Ho'ola. This project also leverages the Maui Digital Bus to support such environmental science trainings, use of innovative and high tech tools, field research practice, research protocols and monitoring projects blended with Native Hawai`ian cultural concepts to advance participant understanding of the overall Ahupua'a system and conservation issues.

Pacific American Foundation (O'ahu)
The Aholehole Project (TAP) aims to improve science education by increasing the interest of 's youth in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines through the use of current technology, culturally-relevant curriculum and meaningful outdoor experiences. Adopting the successful MIT Sea Grant's Sea Perch Program as a tool to encourage interest in STEM, TAP will introduce 4th- 6th grade students as well as their respective elementary and middle school teachers to the principles and practice of underwater robotics, including the design and construction of robots, and their various uses in ocean exploration. Student and teacher participants will work collaboratively in hands-on activities ranging from testing water quality to taking pictures of underwater life in streams, fishponds, wetlands, and ocean waters.