Waimea Middle School’s sixth Grade Social Studies classes have now concluded several weeks of project-based learning experiences that included safe outdoor field trips coupled with engaging hands-on projects to gain a deeper cultural, historical and environmental understanding of the wahi pana — the historic and cultural resources they call “home.”
Complimenting learning in the field with cultural practitioners and other experts, sixth grade social studies teacher Tina Yohon and STEAM Program Coordinator Brent Takenouchi asked students to synthesize research about the wahi pana they visited to understand about their place in Hawaii’s history, environment and cultural legacy. This supports the mission and vision of WMS. The students were then challenged to explore new technology skills, communications strategies and create art pieces — all to teach others about the significance of, and how to protect the special places of this part of Hawaii Island.
It began with a series of field trips with experts and cultural practitioners visiting several of the following coastal areas: Mahukona, Lapakahi, Kawaihae boat ramp, Pua Ka ‘Ilima, ‘Ohai‘ula, Ala Kahakai Trail, Mau’umae, Wai’ula’ula, Kauna’oa, Hapuna and Waialea.
At each site, guest kumu shared traditional mo’olelo — stories or legends — along with insights about the history, geology, biology, traditional and current uses and impacts from climate change, community use and tourism.
Students selected projects to teach both visitors and local residents about why the place is important and how best to protect it. Projects ranged from creating an original painting, to designing an Instagram post, to crafting clever wood and plastic signs with a CNC carver, to developing original designs in vinyl to be applied to T-shirts. Another option was to create a website that includes photographs, maps and information for visitors about these sites. The website will be published before the end of the school year.
Funding for this project came from many sources — some school-based, but mostly from a large grant organized by Ilene Grossman with the Malama Kai Foundation.
Part of this project also included an option of making phone apps and 3D coded maps to teach more about the district’s wahi pana. This grew out of a partnership with Colby Tofel-Grehl with Utah State University, who secured a large, multi-year National Science Foundation research grant to help train teachers to teach students about coding and circuitry. WMS students were fortunate to be able to help pilot what will become new NSF curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.
Upon completion of all the projects, students were asked to share with classmates what they had learned and how they chose to teach others about various wahi pana including what the appropriate cultural protocols or environmental practices are to protect them.
“We mahalo our program partners and cultural practitioners, and also our 6th Grade students for their creative expressions of aloha for our wahi pana to help preserve and protect them for generations to come,” said Yohon.
For more information about the student projects, email tina_yohon@wmpccs.org. For more about the school, visit waimeamiddleschool.org.