Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology- Community Education Program
August 2016-2017
Primary Job Responsibilities
As the Program Coordinator I am responsible for managing, organizing, and facilitating community education programs and the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). I am the lead guide for community tours of HIMB, and I am communicate the ongoing science and research being conducted at HIMB to the local schools and community groups. I teach programs and labs to community and school groups 5th-12th grade and above, schedule and register participants to our programs, and train and coordinate volunteers. I also interact with researchers at HIMB to understand and promote their research to the public , assist with off-site community outreach events, assist with teacher workshops, work on collaborative projects with community and research partners, and maintain program materials and educational touch tank (coral and invertebrate husbandry).
Additional Skills
Certified Waterfront Lifeguard, CPR/AED and First Aid Certification. Boating Certification through USA Boating, also work as crew on our large education vessel, the Ka Noelo Kai. Website and blog design, photography, videography, and science communication.
Presented at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Educator Workshops in Oahu and Big Island. Taught educators about deep sea exploration on the Oceanos and presented about Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and how to construct hydraulic actuators out of everyday materials (for use in classroom settings)
NOAA Educator Workshops
Community Outreach Events
Organized outreach events for Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology at a variety of venues and events including the Waikiki Aquarium Mauka to Makai (Earth Day) Celebration, Bishop Museum Fall in Love with Science Day, and local Oahu High Schools.
Explained to the audience what research is being conducted at HIMB using interactive games and crafts. I also infrormed people how they can visit HIMB for tours, labs, overnights, and internships.
Science Communication
Write articles for the Coconut Island Blog to explain research and interesting marine topics to the community. Update the website with new photos. Add videos to the HIMB YouTube account (see video on left).
Make-a Wish Visit to Coconut Island, File Clams, Service Project on Kaho'olawe , Shark Research at HIMB
Research Experience
Gained research skills at Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology volunteering in different labs. Conducting zooxanthellae counts in different species of corals exposed to different measures of stressors to assess bleaching levels. Used a spectrometer to look at chlorophyl levels in these corals.
Conducted benthic and sediment surveys at the He'eia Fishpond as baseline data before invasive mangrove removal. In the future will be looking to see if sediment reduced over coral reefs.
Collaborated with The Nature Conservancy to bring students to a patch reef to conduct fish surveys.
Used photography and software to create 3D images of coral reefs with local high school students.
