More than two dozen middle school students from the Pacific Northwest area of the mainland got to experience Hawaii Island recently during a science-driven summer camp.
Since 2005, the Integrated Science Learning Experiences Project, or ISLE Project, has brought students to the island for overnight expeditions into the natural world.
“The ISLE Project started with teaching in the classroom and realizing that experiences were the best way for students to learn about science to the point that it would stick,” said Director Dietrich Nebert. “In 2004, my colleague Brian and I held the first trip on Hawaii Island, which was about one van full of kids in an expedition around the island. We started small and have since developed the program, morphing and adding more to it each year through the connections we’ve made.”
This year, 28 campers between 12 and 13 years old and several adult chaperones stayed at Kilauea Military Camp in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and ventured out each day to explore a different aspect of Hawaii Island. They explored coral reefs, tropical forests, black sand beaches and active volcanoes.
Each day included something adventurous and physical, as well as at least one science-based activity involving geology, astronomy, biology and ecology.
Organizers ensure that every trip circumvents the island and there is at least one stop in each area. Some stops this year included Lili‘uokalani Park and Gardens, Mokupapapa Discovery Center and ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo, Aneaho‘omulu Bay for snorkeling, Laupahoehoe Beach Park and Onomea Falls on the Hamakua Coast, and Halema‘uma‘u crater and Kipuka Puaulu in HVNP.
“In the past couple years, we befriended the people at Hawaii Ocean Sports, and they so kindly offered to take us all out on a snorkel trip, which is amazing,” Nebert said. “That is another great connection to have. We are always expanding the ideas of what we can do.”
On their last full day, the group went south to Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach to see the sea turtles and ancient heiau, ate lunch at Manuka State Wayside in Ocean View, talked about pollinators with Big Island Bees in Captain Cook, learned about geothermal sediment absorption and polylithic structure engineering at Anaeho‘omalu Bay, and then ate dinner in Waikoloa before heading back to KMC.
“We never get tired of coming here, because the island pitches us different things every year. The only guaranteed plan is that the plan will change,” said Logistics Coordinator Dale Petersen.
“I remember one year we were invited to Ho‘okena to talk with elders about the importance of the cliffs and why they must remain protected,” Nebert added. “We have countless interesting stories, encounters and connections we’ve been able to make.”
One of the camp counselors this year was Nebert’s daughter, Serena Nebert, who is a former camper now studying environmental science in college. She guided the campers through a dissection of an albatross bolus after teaching them about the large seabird, which nests throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
The youngsters were instructed to separate the microplastics from other matter found in an albatross’ digestive system, giving them a visual of how much plastic Pacific sea birds are ingesting.
“I loved this trip as a kid. It inspired me to pursue environmental science in college. Well that, and also having a science teacher as a dad,” Serena Nebert said. “The experience brought me closer to new friends and to the island. It’s amazing to see how different it is today compared to when I was 12.”
The ISLE Project hopes to expand its programming and eventually work with local groups, families or schools to connect its campers with local kids who are eager to venture out and learn more about their home.
“Every time the kids on the trip interact with local kids, they get along so great and everyone is just interested in each other,” Nebert said. “It would be great to have a community partner join us, so hopefully we can work on something for next year.”
For more information on the ISLE Project and the Big Island Expedition, visit isleproject.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.