Education

CRRF has a long-term interest in marine education through field classes, educational booklets, public talks, hosting interns, publications and social media. Our laboratory has a classroom, teaching library and media room, and we have expanded our education program to reach out to Palauans of all ages.

BACK TO NATURE: JELLYFISH LAKE

During the 2020-2021 school year CRRF undertook and proved a concept educational program, “Back to Nature: Jellyfish Lake” for all 6^th and 8^th grade students (11-13 years old) in Palau. The educational effort instills knowledge, pride and a sense of ownership of their natural resources through both classroom work and field experiences at Jellyfish Lake. It is a unique marine ecosystem in Palau that is home to millions of Golden jellyfish, and we use Jellyfish Lake as a learning classroom and vehicle for instruction in the scientific method, climate change and human impact. This interactive, outdoor class differs from traditional classroom settings and enriches the learning experience by giving students hands-on learning activities. This program gives Palauan school children an opportunity to visit the lake which, sadly, more tourists than Palauan students have visited. By building a connection to Jellyfish Lake, this program will promote interest and appreciation towards the use and management of Jellyfish Lake and, more broadly, coral reef environments in Palau. The pilot program was funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme and New Zealand North Pacific Development Fund, with a follow on year (2021-2022) and program equipment for teachers funded by Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. Lesson plans and program information for use in Palau schools can be found here.

TEACHING SCIENCE USING PALAUAN RESOURCES AND LANGUAGE

In 2022, CRRF undertook a project funded by the New Zealand North Pacific Development Fund to develop classroom science materials that use Palauan resources, knowledge and language. Topics and media formats were chosen based on a survey of 6th grade science teachers, using Palau’s Ministry of Education 6th grade science curriculum as a guide. We created presentations, videos, experiments and posters on topics of climate change, ecosystems, classification of organisms, and weather and climate in Palau. These educational products will help teachers and students apply science concepts to relatable Palauan experiences. Palauan language is used in presentations and videos to promote using Palauan language in schools. Worksheets will help guide students in learning the concepts. Materials were tested during a 2022 three week summer program “Descendants of the Ocean” with students ages 8–16 years old. Three Palauan translators worked with Gerda Ucharm as the editor to complete the translations. Final products were distributed to Palau’s Ministry of Education, 17 public and 2 private elementary schools. Materials and links can be found here.

ROBOTICS

With funding from Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, US Department of the Interior (OIA), Office of Naval Research, Dr. Robert Rex from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Palau Rotary Club, CRRF has held Robotics summer classes in 2018 & 2019, reaching students from the age of 9-18 and teachers from local schools. Under the tutelage of Kevin Bowen of Porpoise Robotics, students learned basic engineering and electronics, using newly-learned skills to design, build and program “LandSharks”, autonomous ground robot vehicles. As part of this program, CRRF members have also visited public and private high schools for a Robotics demonstration, during which students had a chance to get hands-on experience with robots and VR headsets.

EXTERNSHIPS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

Externships are short – a day to a week – practical experiences where students learn about their field and profession of interest. CRRF has worked with students interested in marine science through the programs “Job Shadow” and “Practicum” from Palau High School. We have also welcomed students wishing to fulfill their community service credit from private schools such as Palau Mission Academy and Xavier High School. We also welcome students who wish to visit and observe a day’s work at CRRF.

LINKING VISITING SCIENTISTS WITH LOCAL STUDENTS

In the past few years we have been arranging student tours to oceanographic research vessels working in Palau waters, such as the R/V Roger Revelle of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and to CRRF to meet visiting scientists, to expose students to a type of scientific activity that is only occasionally present in Palau. We do not want students to miss an opportunity to be exposed to “something different” that might inspire them to go on into a career in science or technology.

Visiting Universities/Colleges

CRRF also hosts small university classes visiting Palau, utilizing our classroom/conference room, laboratory and boats. In May – June 2018 & 2019, CRRF hosted Dr. Rebecca Rundell’s class “Invertebrate Conservation Biology in Palau: Ridge to Reef” from the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF).