OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

Wireless AUV concept and interactive web-based interface. Image by Victor Polidoro, MIT AUV Lab. (Click on it to open a larger version.)

Outreach and Education

Malia Rivera

Reef Missions—Exploring Remote Underwater Habitats with Autonomous Vehicles

With funding for NOAA’s Office of Education, the Reef Missions project will utilize data and images collected by an AUV (built through a partnership with the MIT AUV Laboratory) for the purpose of developing a series of marine science education modules for high school science classes. The AUV will collect data and video, measure water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, and salinity. “Missions” can be programmed and controlled by a student, taking snapshots and water quality measurements at defined locales, depths, or times, such as along a specified sampling transect. HIMB will develop four associated curriculum units and materials that include water quality, coral reef diversity, sea turtle behavioral observations and coral reef health.

HIMB Continuing Education Program (CEP) tours

HIMB, largely through volunteer docents, runs an informal education program that serves visiting school groups, community groups and families by providing education tours of the facilities at Moku o Lo‘e (Coconut Island). More than 6,000 students, teachers and community members visit HIMB annually, half of which come through the Community Education Program. While on site, visitors learn about our research activities in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and beyond.

HIMB-Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Research Partnership Outreach

Outreach for HIMB’s NWHI research has been integrated into our Community Education Program (CEP; see above). As part of a recent research cruise on the NOAA ship Hi‘ilakai, HIMB has also produced a series of podcasts and articles about the cutting edge research in the NWHI.

HIMB Telepresence

In February 2006, HIMB, in partnership with UH Information Technology Services, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve (now Marine National Monument), NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and Mystic Aquarium’s Institute for Exploration held a demonstration of telepresence technology, streaming underwater audio and video into a science classroom at Moanalua High School. A scuba diver interacted in real time with the students, who participated in lessons on the coral reef habitat of Kāne‘ohe Bay (see story? I have a DVD of the news coverage if we can link it).

Moku o Lo‘e: The Best Kept Secret in Kāne‘ohe Bay: Continuing Education Program with Windward Community College

Low res image of Wondward Community College campus.

This program introduces community members and interested high school students to the rich history of Moku o Lo‘e, more widely known as Coconut Island, and the world-renown Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) research program. Lectures and on-site activities will be lead by HIMB scientists who conduct research in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Field trips to Coconut Island provide the chance to observe some of the research techniques first-hand and also provide unique hands-on opportunities to learn about science projects ongoing at HIMB and the NWHI.

Marine Education Curriculum Development with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS)

As part of the NOAA MoA, HIMB has partnered with the HIHWNMS Program to develop a new, State of Hawai‘i approved Marine Education Curriculum for grades 3–8. HIMB’s role is to provide the science based content of the new lesson materials, review curriculum units for scientific accuracy and design complementary field-based activities for the new lessons. HIMB will also renovate a building on Moku o Lo‘e that will house a learning facility equipped with a large classroom and wet lab that can be used by students engaged in the new curriculum.

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