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National Marine Sanctuary Field Study
(for Teacher-Student Pairs)
August 4-9, 2005
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale
National Marine Sanctuary
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National marine sanctuaries are living classrooms where people can see, touch, and learn about our nation's underwater treasures. Our mission is to enhance public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the marine environment. NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program in partnership with the National Geographic Society offers hands-on ocean field studies based on educational standards, including subject areas such as geology, marine science, water systems, habitat monitoring, and exploration.
This year, teacher-student pairs will explore Hawaii's marine environment with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary while staying on Coconut Island off Oahu, Hawaii. From August 4–9, 2005, a group of high-school teachers and their students will participate in marine-related activities focusing on the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve.
The field study will include snorkeling and fish identification on the coral reefs, studies of the local watershed, environmental monitoring, and much more. National Geographic photographers will work with students on photo-documentation of their field experiences and the development of a youth media project. Teachers and students can then share their experiences with local communities and larger audiences using this visual media.
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary has been designated to protect humpback whales and their habitat. Hawaii is the only area in the United States where humpback whales mate, calve, and nurse their young. Scientists estimate that the pre-whaling population of the North Pacific stock of humpback whales numbered approximately 15,000 to 20,000. Of the approximately 7,000 humpback whales currently in the North Pacific, about 5,000 migrate to Hawaii each year. Due to their diminished numbers, humpback whales are considered an endangered species.
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands coral reefs are the foundation of an ecosystem that hosts more than 7,000 species, including marine mammals, fishes, sea turtles, birds, and invertebrates. Many of these species are rare, threatened, or endangered. Due to Hawaii’s isolation in the Pacific Ocean, at least one-quarter of the species are endemic, found nowhere else on Earth.
Unexplored deep-sea habitats, expensive and challenging to survey, may provide scientists new species to discover for decades to come. Even the shallow coral reef habitats hold new species that have yet to be documented. These remote islands are the second largest protected marine area in the world, behind the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
While in Hawaii, teachers and students will live on Coconut Island, a University of Hawaii research station in Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu. Students and teachers will engage in studying and monitoring the marine environment with fieldwork such as intertidal and beach monitoring. They will also study and explore the geography, geology, and watersheds of the area through activities such as hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking.
All activities will be supervised by National Marine Sanctuary Program and National Geographic staff.
Eligibility Requirements:
EDUCATOR:
- Must be employed at sponsor school for the 2004-2005 school year
- Must come from a school that predominantly serves underrepresented populations and/or urban or underserved school district
- Will teach geography or a subject that supports NOAA’s mission or strategic goals (such as science and mathematics) in Grades 10-12 in the 2004-2005 school year OR be a resource teacher for the same OR be a curriculum developer for the same.
- Must be supported or nominated based on their outstanding leadership skills and passion for learning by either their National Geography Alliance Coordinator or a National Marine Sanctuary Program Education Coordinator
- Must have access to Internet and have an e-mail account
- Must have at least one year of teaching experience
- Must be able to swim. Snorkel experience helpful.
STUDENT:
- Students are to be selected by teacher applicant for their academic standing, commitment to learning, interest in marine science and geography and willingness to serve as "Sanctuary Stewards"—committed leaders in their community promoting conservation messages and taking action to conserve the Earth's natural resources.
- Ideally, students will be in the teacher’s class for the 2004-2005 school year. However, if this is not feasible, teachers must be able to maintain contact with the selected student in the 2004-2005 school year to confirm that all requirements are completed.
- Must come from a school that predominantly serves underrepresented populations and/or urban or underserved areas
- Must be entering into grades 10-12 and age 15 or older at time of field study
- Must prepare a newspaper article submission and give a presentation (both under teacher supervision) that reflects their participation in the field study. Copies of all submitted newspaper articles and a video-tape of the actual, entire presentation must be submitted to National Geographic staff by September 30, 2005, and becomes the property of both the National Geographic Society and National Marine Sanctuary Program.
- Must be able to swim. Snorkel experience helpful.
Participant Benefits:
- Four days of professional development
- Complimentary National Geographic Society and NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program resources and materials
- Round-trip travel expenses
- Dorm style accommodations and most meals during Field Study
- Benefits do not include reimbursement for substitute teachers or other incidentals not outlined here.
Participant will be required to:
- Attend all workshops and sessions
- Conduct at least one presentation each—students to their classmates or a relevant community group and teachers to Alliance or relevant community or teachers group or a regional/national conference
- Jointly submit an article to local newspaper and/or television station about the program and their experience
- Participating teachers and students will be asked to complete brief assessments during and after the field experience, which will be used in research to ascertain the impact of this program. Participants are committing to participate in this data collection and research project and understand that no personally identifying information will be released or published in any format.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. ET, May 30, 2005. Applicants will be notified by June 30, 2005.
