The 200th anniversary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and advances in underwater technology will offer several opportunities for discovery and inquiry at the 10th Annual Ocean Fair which opens at 10 a.m. Saturday. The free family event will
The 200th anniversary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and advances in underwater technology will offer several opportunities for discovery and inquiry at the 10th Annual Ocean Fair which opens at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The free family event will be at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge at the Kilauea Lighthouse until 4 p.m.
Admission is being waived for this event.
“This year, NOAA has put a lot of effort in producing many new educational materials in celebration of its 200th anniversary,” Sanctuary Kaua‘i Liaison Jean Souza said in a prepared statement.
“These materials focus on many aspects of marine conservation, endangered and protected species, ocean exploration, weather and climate, marine sanctuaries, technology and science.”
Free parking is available at the Kaua‘i Christian Academy with shuttle buses running to the refuge and fair throughout the day. Motorists are advised that vehicular access to the refuge will be restricted for the event.
The Ocean Fair promotes learning about our marine environment and has gained a reputation for its fun, hands-on activities and interactive exhibits.
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of NOAA, many new exhibitors have been assembled to provide hands-on learning.
NOAA programs from Kaua‘i and O‘ahu will be broad in scope, including information on weather instruments used in preparing weather forecasts, tracking devices to monitor Hawaiian monk seals and marine life found in the new Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Global Positioning System units to navigate and understand where we are on planet Earth, underwater mapping and 3-D imaging.
Educators will be able to obtain an impressive collection of new education resources produced by NOAA for classroom teachers and other educators, Souza said. All materials will be available free of charge. This includes posters, activity books and educational DVDs with curriculum, lesson plans, expedition logs, photo galleries, children’s games and video clips.
“We are thrilled to be able to share these materials with educators and the general community,” Souza said. “The exhibitors have done an exceptional job in creating many hands-on activities that really make learning fun.”
With the recent advances and interest in robotics, Souza said the underwater robotics team from Waimea High School will be providing a demonstration at a special exhibit area.
People, especially educators, who are new to robotics are invited to one of two workshops conducted by the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Science Outreach Program where participants can design, build and test models of autonomous underwater vehicles, or un-tethered vehicles. These AUV will be built using Lego’s educational kits.
Pre-registration is required for these two-hour hands-on workshops that were started by Dr. Monique Chyba of the Department of Mathematics. Registration can be done by calling the sanctuary office at 246-2860. Workshops are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
“There are many students and teachers who have not yet had the chance to work with robotics and we hope to do our small part to change that,” Souza said. “I have been impressed with Dr. Chyba’s program and the work of Aquabotica, the Hawai‘i chapter of Tufts University’s S.T.O.M.P project which has developed a curriculum adaptable to children from elementary through high school.”
Patrick Ching, popular Hawai‘i artist and author, will be conducting free drawing classes on various marine life during the fair. His classes will run 50 minutes and are scheduled to start at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. No registration is required.
Some of the other activities going on at the fair will be various seabird activities, safe boating advice and knot tying instruction, “Catch A Wave” hats, and a variety of make-and-take projects.
Souza said travel for the workshop presenters from O‘ahu has been provided by the Dr. Walter Haas Memorial Fund at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
The Ocean Fair is co-sponsored by NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, and Kilauea Point Natural History Association.
Exhibitors include National Weather Service, Lihu‘e Office, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Services Center, National Geodetic Survey, Hawaiian Monk Seal Conservation Hui, KPNHA Lighthouse Restoration Committee, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, CSC/Waimea High School ROV Club, and the University of Hawai‘i Science Outreach Program.
Lunches will be available from Savage Shrimp lunchwagon including a vegetarian option in a designated picnic area.
