Cultivating Coral Scientists
How Immersive Hawai'i Programs Are Revolutionizing Marine Science Education
Introduction
Imagine standing chest-deep in the warm waters of Kāne'ohe Bay, Hawai'i, carefully laying down a transect line across a vibrant coral reef. For local high school students like Kaimana, this isn't just a summer adventure—it's their first authentic experience with scientific research. "I never saw myself as a scientist before," Kaimana shares, "but here, studying our family's fishing grounds, I understand how I can protect what we love."
"I never saw myself as a scientist before, but here, studying our family's fishing grounds, I understand how I can protect what we love."
This transformative experience is part of a groundbreaking educational initiative at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa called Research Experiences in Marine Science (REMS). In a state where the ocean is fundamental to cultural identity and survival, this program represents more than just science education—it's a pathway to ensuring that Hawai'i's diverse youth have a voice in shaping the future of marine conservation. As climate change and human impacts increasingly threaten marine ecosystems, the need for inclusive, culturally-grounded science has never been more urgent.
The Unseen Barrier: Why Marine Science Has a Participation Problem
Despite Hawai'i's position as a hub of marine biodiversity and research, a troubling disparity exists in who participates in ocean science. At the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, which serves as the state's flagship university and a Native Hawaiian-serving institution, only about 39% of oceanography majors and a mere 13% of Marine Biology majors are graduates of Hawai'i high schools 1 . This statistic is particularly striking considering that nearly 60% of the university's overall student body comes from local high schools 1 .
This underrepresentation isn't just about diversity statistics—it has real consequences for conservation outcomes and community engagement. As Dr. Malia Ana J. Rivera, lead researcher of the REMS program, explains: "Diverse research teams have been demonstrated to outperform more homogeneous teams, as members with different backgrounds can bring a variety of valuable experiences and perspectives to problem-solving" 1 .
The REMS Program: A New Model for Culturally-Grounded Science Education
The Research Experiences in Marine Science program represents an innovative approach to addressing these disparities through what educators call a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE). Unlike traditional science courses that follow predetermined laboratory exercises, CUREs immerse students in authentic, open-ended scientific investigation where the outcomes are unknown—much like real research 1 .
Place-Based Education
The curriculum uses Hawai'i's unique ecology and culture as the foundation for learning, creating what educators describe as using "the local community and environment as reference points to teach concepts" 1 .
Tiered Mentoring Structure
Students work alongside professional scientists, science educators, and "near-peer" mentors—typically undergraduate or graduate students who recently participated in similar pathways 1 .
Cultural Integration
The program actively incorporates Indigenous Hawaiian knowledge and collaborates with Native Hawaiian scholars and practitioners, creating what participants describe as a more inclusive and relevant scientific experience 1 .
This approach specifically addresses what researchers term "cultural discontinuity"—the mismatch between what students experience in their home communities and what they encounter in the science classroom, which has been identified as a major barrier to persistence in STEM fields 1 .
A Day in the Life: The REMS Experience
Cultural Connections and Community Context
The REMS program begins not with textbook learning, but with understanding the cultural significance of marine environments. Students visit traditional Hawaiian fishponds (loko i'a), taro cultivation systems (lo'i kalo), and learn about the ahupua'a system—a traditional Hawaiian approach to land management that integrates watersheds from mountains to sea 1 .
Recent research emphasizes why this approach matters: studies examining cultural dimensions of marine organisms in Hawai'i have found significant differences between the species emphasized in conventional management documents and those valued in foundational Hawaiian texts . By starting with cultural context, the program bridges these worldviews.
Field and Laboratory Training
Students participate in intensive modules covering essential marine research techniques:
- Coral Reef Monitoring: Using transects and quadrats to assess biodiversity and reef health
- Water Quality Assessment: Measuring temperature, salinity, and nutrient levels
- Species Identification: Learning to recognize native, invasive, and indicator species
- GIS Mapping: Using spatial analysis to document findings and patterns
These activities take place in both field settings—such as the patch reefs of Kāne'ohe Bay, accessed via the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology's education vessel Ka Noelo Kai—and laboratory environments where students process and analyze their collections 1 .
Group Research Projects
The core of the REMS experience involves students designing and implementing their own research projects in small teams. Recent examples include:
Urban Runoff Study
Investigating the relationship between urban runoff and coral health in Maunalua Bay
Biodiversity Comparison
Comparing biodiversity in restored versus unrestored sections of reef
Algae Removal
Examining the effectiveness of different invasive algae removal techniques
This process mirrors authentic scientific practice, requiring students to problem-solve, collaborate, and adapt their approaches when faced with challenges—a significant departure from standard "cookbook" style laboratory exercises 1 .
Measuring Impact: How the Program Changes Perspectives
The REMS program collects comprehensive assessment data through pre- and post-program surveys that measure changes in student confidence, attitudes, and interest in marine science. The results demonstrate significant positive shifts across multiple dimensions:
Beyond the statistics, student reflections reveal the program's profound personal impact:
"Before REMS, I thought science was just memorizing facts from a textbook. Now I understand it's about asking questions that matter to our community and using different kinds of knowledge to find answers."
"Seeing local scientists and mentors who look like me, who come from my community, showed me that I could have a future in marine science too."
These testimonials highlight the program's success in building what researchers call "science identity"—the sense that one belongs in scientific communities and can see themselves as a science person 1 .
The Scientist's Toolkit: Essential Equipment for Marine Field Research
The REMS program introduces students to standard research equipment used throughout marine science:
Transects and Quadrats
Primary Function: Standardized area measurement and sampling
Application in REMS: Coral reef biodiversity assessment
Secchi Disk
Primary Function: Measuring water turbidity/clarity
Application in REMS: Water quality monitoring
Plankton Nets
Primary Function: Collecting microscopic organisms
Application in REMS: Studying base of marine food webs
Niskin Bottles
Primary Function: Collecting water samples at specific depths
Application in REMS: Nutrient analysis and temperature profiling
GPS Units
Primary Function: Precise location mapping
Application in REMS: GIS mapping and site documentation
Underwater Cameras
Primary Function: Visual documentation
Application in REMS: Marine species identification and monitoring
This hands-on experience with professional research equipment builds both practical skills and confidence, demystifying the tools of marine science and making career pathways feel more accessible 1 .
Conclusion: A Ripple Effect Across Ecosystems and Communities
The REMS program represents more than just an innovative educational approach—it offers a model for how place-based, culturally responsive science education can address longstanding disparities in STEM participation while strengthening conservation efforts.
"Now I know I don't have to choose between being Hawaiian and being a scientist. I can be both, and that makes me better at each."
As the program continues to evolve, its impacts extend beyond individual students to influence institutional approaches to science education. The program's success demonstrates how honoring cultural wisdom alongside scientific methodology creates more inclusive and effective learning environments. This approach is particularly critical in an era of climate change, where diverse perspectives and community-centered solutions are essential for the resilience of both marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
The REMS experience proves that when we broaden participation in marine science, we don't just change the demographics of who conducts research—we transform the very questions we ask, the methods we use, and the solutions we discover.