Key Concepts: Coastal areas were the first places in Hawaii settled by people. Most of our population today still lives in these areas. People have changed coastal ecosystems dramatically, and continue to affect them. Coastal areas are now dominated by introduced species and native coastal ecosystems are among the most imperiled in Hawaii. Coastal plants, which are adapted to tolerate drought, heat, solar radiation, wind, sandy soils and salt spray, help shape the coastal environment by protecting sand and soil, and providing shade and moisture. By better understanding coastal communities and the plants and animals that live there, we can identify ways to help care for this precious resource.Goals: To foster an awareness, appreciation and understanding of coastal ecosystems, and promote a sense of stewardship for these special places.
Objectives: Students will be able to explain why coastlines were the first permanently settled areas in Hawaii; identify five coastal plants and/or animals and describe ways they have adapted to their environment; describe three important threats to coastal ecosystems in Hawaii; describe three reasons coastlines constantly change; and suggest several ways they can help care for coastal areas.
Activities:
- Hands-on Archaeology - After an interactive introduction to archaeology and what it tells us about our coastlines in the distant past, students will work in groups to conduct mock archaeological digs to uncover evidence of the ways people interact with and depend upon the coastal environment today.
- Coast Guides - Students become interpreters in an investigation along the mauka edge of the beach. They'll walk back as a group along the makai edge of the beach, where the docent will point out any wildlife or other items of interest.
- Advanced Garbology - Students will collect, sort, and analyze coastal debris collected along an established transect. They will categorize it, count and weigh it, and discuss how it may threaten the natural environment. The data they collect will be added to data collected by earlier groups and analyzed for trends.
• Coastal Encounters Teacher Resource Guide (PDF)