Papahana Kuaola

The Papahana Kuaola organization provides hands-on learning experiences and instruction for students, teachers, and the general public at a cultural learning center in He-eia, a rural community in O’ahu. With funding from IMLS, Papahana Kuaola will begin “Museum On-the Go: Bringing Learning Experiences to the Classroom.” Dynamic science educators will bring standards-based science from a Hawaiian cultural perspective to students in grades three and four via easily transportable “discovery boxes.” Created, produced, reviewed, and approved by science and cultural specialists, these boxes will offer 2,000 students and 80 teachers on the islands of O’ahu and Moloka’i an opportunity to handle scientific specimens and cultural artifacts. Topics covered within three different discovery boxes will align with Hawai’i state content and performance standards and will focus on Hawaiian Wetlands, Native Hawaiian Plants and Animals, and Human Interaction with the Hawaiian Environment.