A Classroom Unlike Any Other
CCE offers engaging, hands-on learning experiences designed to cultivate ocean literacy for all ages. With Moku o Lo‘e and Kāne‘ohe Bay as our classroom, our programs connect participants with cutting-edge research at Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). We welcome approximately 4,000 students and visitors annually through our onsite programs, and engage 7,000 additional participants through community outreach.
Our programs include walking tours, lab experiences, and workshops that integrate ‘āina-based (land-based) education with STEM. We offer specialized lab programs for K-8 school groups on topics such as plankton, invasive algae, sea level rise, marine plastics, and ocean alkalinity enhancement. In addition to these school group experiences, we offer custom experiences for community groups interested in marine science and conservation.
Helpful Links
For more information please contact [email protected].
Programs to Connect with
Marine Science
From immersive student programs to engaging public tours, HIMB provides hands-on opportunities for all ages to explore marine science.
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Our public tours offer diverse opportunities to explore HIMB’s living laboratory and surrounding coral reefs. From guided walking tours to hands-on programs, we offer a marine science experience for everyone.
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HIMB offers a dynamic, hands-on field trip for K-8 grade students on Moku o Lo‘e. Students will explore the world of marine biology with an immersive day of lab experiences, walking tours, and touch tank time.
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HIMB's program offerings for high schoolers provide aspiring scientists an opportunity to investigate the entire ocean ecosystem, from the smallest marine microbes to the largest marine mammals.
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The Marine Understanding through Hands-on Exploration and Education (MUHE‘E) Program is a new five-day course at HIMB offered for students in grades 7-8 during fall break. Participants will learn about the cultural and ecological connections from ridge to reef while exploring marine conservation through hands-on activities, including snorkel surveys, a plastics lab, and coral restoration modules.
Meet Our Team
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Lauren Van Heukelem, MS
Junior Specialist, HIMB Community Education Coordinator
Center for Community Education
Ka Noelo Kai - Connecting O‘ahu to Moku o Lo‘e
The HIMB Education Program's catamaran, Ka Noelo Kai ("seeking knowledge of the sea"), serves as a floating classroom for exploring Kāne‘ohe Bay's coral reef ecosystems. Acquired in 2017 with support from the Harold K. L. Castle Foundation, this 49-passenger vessel transports thousands of students and visitors to Moku o Lo‘e for hands-on educational programs and provides a safe platform for research and investigation.
Support The Next Wave of Ocean Stewards
Join a global effort. Your donation to HIMB funds the world-class research, education, and community programs that are crucial for protecting and restoring marine ecosystems in Hawai‘i and across the planet.
