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The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) has partnered with the Palau Community College Education Talent Search Program to launch a new STEM summer program for students who recently entered grades 8 and 9. The 17 students are from Palau High School, Emmaus-Bethania High School, Koror Elementary School (KES), Peleliu Elementary School, Airai Elementary School, Meyuns Elementary School, Melekeok Elementary School, and George B. Harris Elementary School (GBH).
Throughout the week, students participated in multiple activities. On Monday, June 24, the day’s activities focused on coral reef fisheries and aquaculture. Students dissected fish, set up an algae lab, and took a behind-the-scenes tour of an aquarium. The next day, students focused on large marine protected areas, learned about the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS), and participated in a plankton and whale workshop.
Wednesday’s event focused on science communication. Students connected to a deep-sea research vessel through a ship-shore interaction, explored the research vessel in virtual reality, and made their own short documentary at the Palau Aquarium. A student and recent graduate from Palau Community College (PCC) also gave a 30-minute presentation on PCC’s Environmental Marine Science major.
The last two days were spent on field trips. Students traveled to Nghiwar State to do a new ecotourism program in the mangroves, where they kayaked through the mangroves, hiked to waterfalls, and learned about different mangrove species on a short river cruise. On Friday, students completed a beach cleanup project in Kayangol State.
PICRC also ran the Ocean Explorer Program for Grade 6 and 7 students from June 17 to 21. A total of 13 students from Maris Stella School, SDA Primary School, KES, Melekeok Primary School and GBH participated in the program. This was the third time the program was held. It included a series of art and science activities at PICRC and the Palau Aquarium, as well as two field trips.
A professional development workshop for Palau teachers, “Educators and Science,” was held from July 3 to 5. Primary school teachers were invited to PICRC to present research, discuss marine science-based classroom lesson plans and experiments, and participate in new ecotourism in Nghiwar State. The 15 teachers came from Maris Stella School, KES, Meyuns Primary School, GBH, and Melekeok Primary School.
Finally, PICRC participated in the fourth Intercessory Prayer Program in partnership with the Emotional Support Program (ESP). The Intercessory Prayer Program aims to teach students many healthy ways to cope with stress, manage emotions, and express emotions in a positive and productive way. On June 24 and 25, the program was attended by PICRC researchers Mr. Singe Hideos and Ms. Mereng Andres, who presented a 30-minute activity on how to relieve stress by understanding and being part of nature. In total, approximately 40 students participated in the program.
“We would like to thank all of the students, teachers, and our partners who participated in making this project a success and for giving us the opportunity to connect and collaborate,” said Caryn Lkong Koshiba, interim CEO of PICRC. “We will continue to work with students and teachers in Palau to bring our marine science research into their classrooms.”
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