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LILT, Dept. of ICS • University of Hawai`i at Manoa • 1680 East-West Road, POST 309 • Honolulu, HI 96822 • 1-808-956-3890
Boatload of Educators!
The 2005 NOAA Teacher at Sea Educational Expedition to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
The NOAA research vessel Hi`ialakai left Honolulu on Friday, August
12th, 2005, on a very special mission: the first-ever educational voyage
to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). This "boatload of educators" went
to Nihoa Island, Mokumanamana (Necker Island), and the French Frigate
Shoals. The mission: to expose educators to a unique ecosystem unlike
any other on earth, and engage in intensive planning for NWHI-based curriculum.
This expedition was led by Andy Collins of NOAA's Coral Reef Ecosystem
Reserve, and co-organized by Ann Bell of US Fish & Wildlife, Liz
Kumabe of Haunama Bay/UH Sea Grant and Dan Suthers of LILT.
During the duration of the 10-day trip, educators learned about the
work of scientists in the NWHI, practiced data gathering methods themselves,
and immersed themselves (literally!) in a pristine and fascinating predator-dominated
ecosystem. After the trip the educators are working on translating this
experience to students and other educators, instilling a sense of stewardship
in both the current and the next generation.
The educators came from a variety of teaching backgrounds and many places within Hawaii: Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai were all represented. Several expert researchers served as resources in areas ranging from reef ecology to sea birds. There was also a team conducting archeological research in Nihoa, who were dropped off by the ship on the way up, and successfully retrieved a week later on the way back.
You can find daily expedition logs and educational resources at http://www.hawaiianatolls.org under "NWHI 2005 Education Expedition." We are now working with teachers in hnlc.org to continue curriculum development and community building through the year.
