The OPIHI Project, formally known as Our Project in Hawaii’s Intertidal, is looking for teachers to help students contribute to authentic scientific research. Organizers of the OPIHI Project are seeking STEM teachers in grades 6-12 for citizen science professional development opportunities throughout the state.
OPIHI is a citizen science program where secondary school students monitor local, rocky intertidal areas in Hawaii. Students learn about marine ecology conservation and are trained in field methodology, species identification, and sampling techniques.
Teachers in the OPIHI program will learn from scientists and work with their students to monitor the intertidal areas; the data collected will contribute to authentic scientific research. Even though OPIHI is an aquatic-focused program, teachers in all STEM subjects can successfully integrate OPIHI into their curriculum.
Trainings on Maui will be held next year on Saturday and Sunday, March 12 and 13 in Kihei with a follow-up on Sunday, April 3. Additional sessions will be held online to allow teachers to collaborate across Hawaii.
Ten years ago, OPIHI student data resulted in the first description of community-level patterns at intertidal sites across the state. This new effort will help to determine if and how the organisms in the intertidal community have changed over the past 10 years.
Participating teachers will receive a stipend and classroom supplies. Hawaii Department of Education teachers will also earn three professional development credits. The application deadline is Nov. 16.
Additional information and a link to the application can be found here. Any additional questions can be sent to Joanna Philippoff at Philippo@hawaii.edu.
OPIHI is a NOAA B-WET funded collaboration between the University of Hawaii’s Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG) and the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program
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