PCS and MOE Conduct Ocean Education Training for 7th and 9th Grade Teachers
Koror, Palau – “When it comes to teaching our kids, the sky is the limit”
Ngaraard teacher Angelica Humio comments during a group activity that discussed the resources and visual aids being provided for students for their ocean stewardship lesson plans.
Palau Conservation Society (PCS), in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE), conducted workshops throughout the month of June on inspiring ocean stewardship in students action-based ocean education< This year’s trainings were divided into two parts: 7th grade and 9th grade teachers’ workshops.
In 2019, though the 9th grade Palau High School Environmental Class, Palau became the first Pacific island country aside from Hawaii and New Zealand to join “The Big Microplastic Survey” – a global collaborative citizen science project based out of the United Kingdom. This project focuses solely on microplastic pollion found in the ocean. Also in its initial year, 7th grade students across Palau were able to collect and properly dispose of over 777 pounds of trash from several beaches across the country. The continued activity from the 7th and 9th graders will provide meaningful data about marine debris and microplastics on the beaches of Palau.
Through the Scaling Up Pacific Adaptation (SUPA) program through the EU, the ocean stewardship project is able to continue through 2022 to ensure that students are receiving proper ocean education in order to battle the everyday threats of climate change. Funding will go towards materials, transportation, and supplies needed to conduct lesson plans and activities for all participating schools.
Above all, this project aligns with the Palau Climate Change Policy’s objective to enhance adaptation and resilience to the expected impacts of global climate change across all sectors. The effort to raise awareness and inspire the youth to take action supports the country’s vision of “Happy, healthy, sustainable and resilient Palauan communities in a changing world”.
From Hatohobei Elementary to John F. Kennedy School in Kayangel and all other elementary schools in between, PCS and MOE extends its sincere gratitude to all teachers who participated in this year’s workshops! Kom kmal mesulang.