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Eight University of Hawaii at Manoa undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines spent eight weeks in the summer of 2024 in the Galapagos Islands, experiencing an all-expenses-paid research trip of a lifetime. They engaged in guided research through a transformative journey that fostered deep connections with aina (land/sea), karnaka (people) communities, and marama aina (stewardship of place and people).
Clayton Litton, professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, director of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), and one of eight UH Mānoa faculty members who designed and implemented the program over the past two years. says: Student engagement is a high-impact practice that provides countless benefits to students, instructors, the campus, and the island as a whole. This is an innovative program made possible by a strong collaboration with the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) in the Galapagos and the involvement of multiple faculty members across the UH Mānoa campus, and is an innovative program that fosters innovation in research science within Native Hawaiian Place. Provide students with a unique learning experience. Description of the learning context. ”
More than 80 students applied and 12 were invited to a new spring course on island invasion biology to provide a knowledge base for the mentored research project. Eight people traveled to the Galapagos Islands and four conducted research in Hawaii.
The students developed research proposals in spring 2024 with mentors from UH Mānoa and CDF. A collaborative teaching approach allowed students to improve their research skills while contributing to real-world scientific questions. During the summer, the traveling students were housed at the CDF Research Station in the Galapagos, where they conducted a research project focused on island invasion biology.
During the summer experience, students wrote research papers on all aspects of the scientific process, including literature reviews, data collection and analysis, conclusions and the socioecological implications of their findings. Each student will also create a personal, contemporary ka’ao (grandiose) documenting their experiences from hua (first inspiration), to ha’are (preparation for the journey), to hua kai (journey), to huina (reintegration). I created a story (story, story). community on and off campus;
Research on important invasive species
Matthew Kahokuloa’s project involved assessing plant diversity after reintroducing giant tortoises to Santa Fe Island.
“It was my first time away from Hawaii, so it was great to experience the biodiversity and ecology of other island ecosystems,” Kahokuloa said. “This trip provided me with valuable field experience, especially in terms of working in a remote environment and applying research methods.”
Emily Josefina Velazquez studied the effects of Caulerpa racemosa (a species of edible green algae) on benthic invertebrates (small aquatic animals that live on the bottom of bodies of water) living in the sands of the Galápagos.
“You couldn’t walk 10 minutes without seeing relaxing iguanas, seabirds, and sea lions. We were always near the ocean.” — Nicole Buyucacar
“Galapagos was a place that nurtured my growth as an individual and reaffirmed my passion and desire to work in academia,” Velasquez said. “It’s an unforgettable experience. You’re immersed in your project, living, breathing, and dreaming. I’m surrounded by scientists from diverse backgrounds, and everyone has a unique perspective on the world around them. We live and work in an environment where we share a passion for understanding.
Nicole Buyukacar’s project concerned the developmental dynamics and temperature sensitivity of avian blood-sucking flies.
“The most remarkable thing about the town of Puerto Ayora where we worked was that there was always so much wildlife on our doorstep,” Buyucaccar said. “You couldn’t walk 10 minutes without encountering relaxing iguanas, seabirds, and sea lions. We were always close to the ocean. This experience was a great experience, always in awe of the beauty of nature. , was an incredible blend of learning to integrate academically and socially into a completely different place, and learning to understand why everything needs to be protected. ”
Students presented their research and Kaao products at the CDF Research Station and UROP SURE Symposium. Most students continue to produce peer-reviewed journal publications in collaboration with their academic advisors.
This unique opportunity is the result of a collaboration between UH Mānoa and CDF, and is funded by the National Science Foundation – International Research Experiences for Students ($300,000 grant), the UH Mānoa Office of the President, and the entire program. are tailored to meet campus goals. Native Hawaiian Place of Learning ($100,000) and the University of Mānoa Office of the Vice President for Research and Scholarship ($80,000). The funding will make the program available to UH Mānoa undergraduate students for at least the next two years.
Please visit this website for more information.
—Written by Mark Arakaki
