PICRC Brings the Education Carnival to Outlying States

During the last week of February and the first week of March, the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) traveled to Angaur, Peleliu, and Kayangel to deliver their education carnival. This event engaged 75 students, marking PICRC’s engagement with every elementary school across Palau (excluding the South-West Islands).

The Palau Conservation Society (PCS) joined all the island visits, while Friends of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary participated in trips to Angaur and Peleliu. Students were divided into groups and rotated around various booths.PICRC held a series of stations focused on coral bleaching, the deep sea, reef fish, and the presence of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS). The coral bleaching station explained what coral bleaching is, how to monitor it, and ways to identify different coral types. A crowd favorite was the deep-sea station, where students learned about the recent deep-sea expedition to Palau (Lebuu’s Voyage) and had the opportunity to drive a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) underwater. The reef fish station focused on whether to keep or release reef fish depending on their size. Students learned that size is an important factor in determining whether a fish has had the opportunity to reproduce and help replenish populations before being caught. Finally, students also had the opportunity to learn about the cetaceans found in the PNMS and discover how big they can grow.
PCS introduced students to Palau’s diverse ecosystems and man-made habitats, shedding light on various species endemic to Palau. Friends of the PNMS shared insights on marine conservation and the Palau Pledge, featuring initiatives like the “Kick the Butts and Cap the Waste” challenge and their annual dive camp.
PICRC recognizes the challenges faced by remote schools with limited opportunities to visit PICRC and the Palau Aquarium. To bridge this gap, PICRC prioritizes outreach to these schools, ensuring students receive education on environmental issues as well as reinforce potential career opportunities for these students. “While our main education carnival takes place in January, we put in every effort to reach schools throughout the year, especially those in outlying states,” said Imade Tellei, Director of the Outreach Department.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the states of Angaur, Peleliu, and Kayangel for facilitating PICRC’s visits by providing chairs, tables, and access to the dock. Your support was critical in making these trips a success. We also thank the Palau Conservation Society (PCS) and Friends of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary for joining us on these visits.