NEWS

Understanding corals, how they grow, and the importance of conservation work in the Pacific Region was the focus of a recent interactive learning exercise with fifth-grade students. In September, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resource Center (PACRC) hosted students from Ka ‘Umeke Kāʻeo Public Charter School for a hands-on lesson about the morphology or shape and structure of coral.

Coral bleaching is one of the most widely recognized impacts of increasing global temperatures corresponding to rising ocean temperatures. Bleaching does not mean automatic death for corals. If conditions improve, some corals can recover. Knowing the causes of bleaching and what can be done is crucial in protecting these ecosystems, which provide homes and spawning grounds to various ocean species and protect coastlines against storm surges. 

The co-produced lesson led by Steve Doo, PhD, assistant professor of marine science at UH Hilo, was the second in-person learning activity in what will be an ongoing partnership with Ka ‘Umeke. With a background in marine biology and outdoor education, Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC) Outreach Biologist Emily Sesno helped to develop the activity, while PI-CASC Education and Communications Research Fellow Maya-Lin Green assisted with the lesson presentation. 

“Coral reefs are one of the most important marine ecosystems, and in Hawaiʻi,” said Doo. “Our goal is to share both the natural history and importance of these incredible habitats. The educational lessons focus on both developing the knowledge of the biology of corals and why they are important, and also how current research is used to understand how humans are impacting the oceans.”

The activity took students through interactive exercises. Students colored coral polyp crowns and bracelets and assembled them to become a class colony, visualizing how these tiny animals grow and occupy space. Students also had the opportunity to contribute directly to coral conservation efforts. UH Hilo undergraduate interns Megan Carney, Jayden Frasco, and Ty Shimabukuro were on hand to assist the students as they measured and glued coral fragments that will be monitored and measured during the next visit to see how much they grew. 

Carney engaged students in questions that invited them to think more critically about their environment. “Teaching the lesson was an amazing experience for me! I enjoyed being hands-on with the kids and having them get excited about corals. Being able to teach the younger generation about coral is important because it will help them understand the role that corals have on the reef and how they can help,” said Carney. 

In addition to learning about coral morphology and restoration and the hands-on process of growing new coral from fragments, students got to experience what it is like to be scientists and environmental stewards while developing a connection with the land and sea. 

“We started this program because we realized that there was a need to actively co-partner with community groups,” said Doo. “Our facility is located in Hawaiian Homelands, and my hope is that these educational events will foster knowledge exchange between UH Hilo students and researchers in the local community. We have the incredible privilege to work in Hilo, and co-partnering with the community through working with local school groups is one of the avenues we hope will lead to more avenues of information exchange.” 

To learn more about coral reefs and coral bleaching, please visit the Climate Impact Coral Bleaching page on the PI-CASC website.