Overview:
Discover how the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) expanded its outreach to Sonsorol State for the first time, bringing marine science education, the 2027 Arts & Tides Calendar Contest awards, and community updates to students and residents.
The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) recently brought its outreach activities to Sonsorol State for the first time, led by Researcher Lauren Piot and Outreach Officers Lucy Dickie and Sara Vicente. The team organized several activities, including the Education Carnival, an interactive marine science learning experience for students; the presentation of awards for the 2027 Arts & Tides Calendar Contest; a workshop on whales and dolphins; and a community meeting to share updates on PICRC’s work. The Center also sent marine science educational materials to Pulo Anna Island.
Education and community engagement are priorities for PICRC, as they promote ocean stewardship, increase scientific knowledge, and help integrate local perspectives into the Center’s work. Each year, PICRC organizes numerous outreach activities, including its Education Carnival, which brought nearly 1,000 students to the Center in January. The PICRC team has also brought the Education Carnival and community meetings to Peleliu, Angaur, and Kayangel states, but this visit marked the first time these initiatives reached Palau’s Southwest Islands.
The program, held on September 28, began with the presentation of awards for the 2027 Arts & Tides Calendar Contest, PICRC’s annual drawing competition, which this year featured the theme “Ocean Gardens: Growing Corals, Restoring Reefs.” Theannah-Mae Theodore was recognized as the third-grade winner, while Sonsorol Elementary School received the Most Participants Award, tying with three other schools.
Students then took part in the Education Carnival, where they learned about PICRC’s research projects through hands-on activities. These included exploring different coral restoration techniques, playing a game about marine protected areas, and observing plankton samples under microscopes. The nine participating students showed great enthusiasm and curiosity throughout the activities.
Afterward, students attended a workshop on whales and dolphins, or cetaceans, where they learned more about these animals and the research PICRC conducts in Palau in collaboration with Whaleology, a consultancy specializing in cetacean research and conservation in the Pacific. They also completed puzzles featuring cetacean species found in Palau and created their own sperm whales using clay.
The program concluded with a community meeting where the PICRC team gave presentations on the Center’s current research and outreach projects, including coral reproduction and restoration techniques and recent projects exploring the Palau National Marine Sanctuary. The 30 attendees showed great interest in marine science and marine ecosystems, sharing their observations and asking questions. The gathering ended with a screening of Pristine Seas, National Geographic’s documentary about Palau, which was filmed in the Southwest Islands.
PICRC extends its sincere appreciation to the people and government of Sonsorol State, as well as Governor Lucy Pedro, for their assistance in organizing the visit and for their warm hospitality and enthusiastic participation throughout the program. The Center greatly appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the Sonsorol community’s important relationship with the ocean while continuing to advance its mission to promote ocean stewardship throughout Palau.