MEDIA RELEASE

‘Imiloa is seeking educators to teach students about the rhythms and patterns of the earth, sea and sky through a unique wayfinding and navigation experience, MANU ‘Imiloa: KÅŒLEA.

Middle school math & science teachers interested in sharing real-life applications with their students still have time to apply to be part of the second cohort of MANU ‘Imiloa: KÅŒLEA, the newest outreach program of the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. With local school schedules disrupted by recent hurricane activity, ‘Imiloa has extended the teacher application deadline to September 15.

KŌLEA (Keeping Our Legacy of Exploration Alive) offers participating schools a unique 2-3 week curriculum package designed specifically for 7th and 8th grade science or math classes. Titled “He Manu He Waʻa, The Geometry of Wayfinding,” the curriculum is inspired by the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s epic Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, and brings to life the geometry, astronomy and other sciences that undergird traditional Polynesian non-instrumental navigation.

Ten lucky Hawai‘i Island teachers participated in the inaugural KŌLEA cohort in 2015-2016. Reflecting on the experience, one participant commented, “Many of my students feel disconnected from math and science, because it is so abstract and seems disconnected from their lives. For my students to succeed, what I teach needs to be meaningful to them, and needs to relate to their lives. MANU helps to give them the tools to make it far!”

The 2016-2017 KŌLEA program will be limited to 15 enthusiastic and passionate middle school teachers across Hawai‘i Island. To be eligible you must be a 7th or 8th grade science, astronomy, math or STEM Resource teacher, and attend a 4-day MANU ‘Imiloa Teacher Training Workshop to be held at ‘Imiloa from Monday, October 10 – Thursday, October 13, 2016. If you’re ready to embark with your students on a remarkable voyage without ever having to leave home, call 808-932-8910 or email outreach@imiloahawaii.org