The sea urchin project at Hale Kula Elementary School began in August 2012 when juvenile sea urchins were delivered. Fourth and fifth grade students received the first sea urchins to make observations and ask questions. The project aims to study sustainability and stewardship of sea urchins while also controlling invasive algae on reefs. Students from various grades are investigating questions like whether sea urchins prefer sand or coral habitats, and which foods help them grow faster. The long term goals are to increase environmental literacy, climate stewardship activities, and involve additional schools to sustain the program.

1. SEA URCHIN
PROJECT
Hale Kula Elementary School 2012-2013

2. They’re here! The juvenile sea urchins were
delivered today, August 10, 2012!

3. The urchins are about 1” in Dr. Rick Jones from UH-West Oahu
diameter. received a grant from NOAA and
selected to work with Hale Kula on this
project.

4. Sustainability and stewardship will
be the focus of this project.
Fourth and fifth graders in the blended learning class were the first to receive
their sea urchins.

5. Brainstorming – What do we know
about sea urchins? What do we want
to find out?
Dr. Jones answers questions from
second graders in B4.

6. Studying real-world problems and solutions = being
a community contributor (General Learner Outcome
#2)
Observing the urchins – seeing, touching, even
smelling the creatures.

7. It starts with observations and
questions
Kindergarten students from J4 were a little apprehensive about touching the urchins
(left). After a few minutes in their new home, the urchins are already eating the limu
and moving around the aquarium.

8. and selecting a question to
study
Do sea urchins prefer the sandy Which food helps sea urchins grow
area or do they prefer to live on the faster – limu, unseasoned nori, or a
coral? (3rd grade, H1) specially-formulated dry food? (5th
grade, A1)

9. Sea Urchins for Coral Recovery:
Hale Kula’s Climate Stewards
Program
Project Goals:
Through Comprehensive evaluation we will measure:
•whether the program increases environmental and
climate literacy of the teachers and the students
•whether the program increases the number and impact
of climate stewardship activities at the school and in the
community

10. Project Goals continued:
•Increased control of invasive algae on the reefs of Kaneohe Bay
•Continued participation of Hale Kula and addition of schools in
the Scholfield/Wheeler Complex and then to other schools in
Central Oahu and the Leeward Coast
•School and community adoption of project management after
year five to sustain climate stewardship activities

11. Links:
“We don’t  http://goo.gl/jeRnZ
inherit the
Earth from  http://goo.gl/kOJ9g
our
ancestors.  http://goo.gl/vkCN5
We borrow it
from our  http://goo.gl/lTU2L
children.”
Native
American
quote

12. To be continued . . . .