MEDIA ADVISORY—Windward CC developing future stewards of the environment

PaCES (Pacific Center for Environmental Sciences) summer program for high school students

Windward Community College
Contact:
Bonnie J Beatson, (808) 235-7374
Mktg & Public Rel Dir, Chancellor's Office
Posted: Jun 18, 2015

Taking stream water quality samples
Taking stream water quality samples

PaCES (Pacific Center for Environmental Sciences) summer program for high school students focuses on developing future stewards of the Kāne‘ohe Bay watershed and coral reefs.

High school students selected from 14 of Oahu’s public and private schools will perform environmental research for college credit at a variety of sites this summer. PaCES’ goal is to introduce a new generation to the environmental issues that threaten our fragile ecosystem. At the end of the summer, students will present their findings in a symposium at Windward Community College. 

WHO:  Coordinating, supporting and participating in this program are:
Stephanie Bennett, Federal Grant Program officer, NOAA B-WET
Doug Dykstra, chancellor, Windward Community College
Robert Hutchison, science instructor, Kamehameha Schools
Dave Krupp, PhD, WCC biological and marine science professor and Pacific Center for Environmental Studies (PaCES) coordinator
Herb Lee, Jr., Pacific American Foundation executive director
Malia Rivera, PhD, research and education, Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology
Manning Taite, science instructor, Myron B. Thompson Academy

WHAT:  18 high school students will join Windward Community College science educators, researchers and student mentors for the Pacific Center for Environmental Education’s (PaCES) annual six-week summer program currently in it’s 11th year.  This diverse program takes students outside to introduce and better understand our valuable and natural resources, such as coral reefs, fishponds, streams, wetlands, aquaponics and fossil reefs, to name a few. PaCES’ main supporters are the Pacific American Foundation, NOAA B-WET, Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology and Windward Community College. This program promotes stewardship and mentorship culminating in a student symposium, which is open to the public.

WHEN:  Currently running through July 18, 2015. Location and dates are provided.                

WHERE:  Windward Community College, Hale ‘Imiloa 121 and various locations on Oahu.

WHY:  By synthesizing traditional knowledge and modern practices, which incorporate science and technology, it is hoped that students will learn the immense natural watershed system from ridge to reef known as ahupua‘a, and provide solutions to environmental problems. Students will be exposed to mapping, ocean and stream surveys, biology, ecology, native terrestrial ecosystems, estuaries, wetlands, microbiology, molecular genetics, DNA extraction, climate change, human impacts, coral reefs, agriculture, community stewardship, research, data analysis, and oral presentation practice. Students receive $1,000 scholarships and four (4) college credits in BIO 124/124L (tuition waved).

Eighteen students from 14 high schools, including private (Iolani, Punahou, La Pietra, Kamehameha), public (Castle, Farrington, Kahuku, Kailua, Mililani, Pearl City, Waipahu) and charter schools (Myron B. Thompson, Hakipu‘u, University Lab) are participating in this summer environmental program, which supports the state inititative '55 by 25.'

2015 PaCES Outdoor Lab locations and dates:

June 18    9:30 a.m. –12 p.m.
Kawainui Estuary dynamics and field study at Oneawa and Kalaheo Bridges
Instructors: Dave Krupp, PhD, Manning Taite, Robert Hutchinson

June 19    9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                                                                                 
Hale ‘Imiloa Rain Garden service project and lab, Hale ‘Imiloa, Windward Community College                                                              
Lecturer: Todd Cullinson, executive director and Kristen Mailheau, community coordinator, Hui o Ko‘olaupoko   

June 19    1:00 – 3:30 p.m.                                                                                      
Kako‘o ‘Oiwi Lo‘i at He‘eia Wetlands service project, Kamehameha Hwy., He‘eia                                                              
Lecturer: Kanekoa Kukea-Schultz, executive director, The Nature Conservancy / Kaneohe Bay marine coordinator

June 23    9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                                                                           
Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology at Coconut Island
Instructors: Dave Krupp, PhD, and Amanda Shore, Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology/UH Mānoa; Contact: Malia Rivera 808-235-9304 (HIMB facilities coordinator)

June 24   11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m
Waikalua Loko Fishpond tour and service project                                                    
Lecturer: Herb Lee, executive director, Pacific American Foundation / Rosalynn Dias, coordinator, Waikalua Loko Fishpond Preservation Society

June 29   1:00 – 3:30 p.m.                                                                    
Ulupo Heiau Restoration service project 
Host: Chuck K. Burrows, EdD, president, Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi

July 1    6:30 – 10:30 a.m.                                                                    
Kualoa Intertidal Zone survey, Kualoa Regional Park
Instructors: Dave Krupp, PhD, Manning Taite, Robert Hutchinson

July 2    9:30 a.m. – 12p.m.                                                               
Nanakuli Beach Park fossil reef snorkel and lecture
Instructor: Dave Krupp, PhD, PaCES Coordinator  

July 18    8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Hale ‘Ākoakoa 105, Windward Community College. Closing Symposium; student presentations.
Keynote speaker: Rob Toonen, PhD, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology