Supported by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the Taiwan-Palau Ocean Science Education Center successfully held a three-day marine science education workshop at Palau Community College (PCC) from October 8 to 10. The workshop attracted participants from the Ministry of Education, local elementary and high school teachers, and outreach officer from the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC). The workshop focused on critical marine issues in Palau, covering topics such as blue carbon, marine food chains, and sustainable ocean development, aiming to enhance the younger generation’s awareness of ocean conservation.
The teaching team from Taiwan included Professor Hung-Duen Yang, former president of National Sun Yat-sen University, Distinguished Professor Ching-Chang Hung, Professor Hsiu-Chin Lin, and Professor Mong-Fong Li from National Penghu University of Science and Technology. The course content centered on the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems, focusing on three major themes: the role of blue carbon in achieving carbon neutrality, plankton as indicators of changes in marine ecosystems, and the issues of ocean acidification caused by excessive carbon dioxide emissions.
In addition to classroom lectures, the workshop integrated hands-on activities to deepen participants’ understanding. The participants engaged in field teaching at the Rock Islands, using scientific instruments to monitor real-time changes in water temperature and salinity while collecting water samples from various depths. During these activities, they discovered that at a depth of 15 meters, the water temperature in the Rock Islands reached as high as 30.5°C, even in October. This real-time data provided solid evidence that Palau’s ocean waters are continuing to warm, reinforcing the participants’ understanding of the ongoing impact of climate change. These experiences will help teachers inspire their students to develop a stronger environmental awareness when they return to the classroom.
During the final sharing session of the workshop, Palau high school teacher Noel Reyes highly praised the teaching methods of the three professors, noting that the course provided him with a fresh perspective on marine science concepts. He also mentioned that as an island nation, Palau needs more hands-on teaching materials to help students better understand the principles of marine science. Viola Nairngetrang suggested extending the duration of the sea-based practical activities to a full day to enhance participants’ field experience. Iesha Bieb Umayam further recommended extending the three-day course to a week to allow for a deeper exploration of the long-term impact of climate change on Palau’s marine ecosystems and response strategies.
During the visit, the teaching team also provided lectures at the PCC and PICRC respectively. The enthusiastic feedback from all participants was heartening for the teaching team, reflecting the shared vision of Taiwan and Palau to address the global challenges of climate change. Moving forward, the workshop will continue to expand the depth and breadth of marine science education, equipping Palau’s younger generation with the scientific data necessary to protect our blue planet.
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