PICRC Reaches Nearly 1,000 Students at 2026 Education Carnival

The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) hosted its largest Education Carnival to date, welcoming 966 students from 14 elementary schools across Koror and Babeldaob for four days of hands-on marine science learning.

From Tuesday, January 20 to Friday, January 23, students visited PICRC in 75-minute time slots to explore interactive learning stations focused on Palau’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), coral restoration, and deep-sea exploration. Students had hands-on opportunities to attach coral fragments to restoration devices, operate a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and play an educational board game that guided them through Palau’s MPAs.

PICRC was joined by partner organizations including the Office of Climate Change, the Palau Automated Land and Resources Information System (PALARIS), and Friends of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary. Each provided specialized activities and demonstrations that introduced students to their work.

The Office of Climate Change highlighted the role of mangroves in coastal resilience, while PALARIS demonstrated the use of technology for marine monitoring by flying a drone for students. Friends of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary introduced students to the Palau Pledge and discussed the challenges and opportunities available for youth engagement each year.

The 2026 Education Carnival also marked the launch of the 2027 Arts & Tides Calendar, themed “Ocean Gardens: Growing Coral, Restoring Reefs.” The theme highlights PICRC’s ongoing research and efforts in coral restoration. Coral restoration is the process of helping damaged reefs recover by growing and replanting corals in areas where reefs have declined. PICRC uses several different methods to restore coral reefs.

Students from schools across Palau are invited to submit artwork for the calendar until March 20, 2026. PICRC will award first-place and runner-up prizes for each grade level, as well as an overall winner. Additionally, the top three schools with the highest percentage of student submissions will receive recognition.

“Our educational programs are designed to connect students with PICRC’s latest marine science research,” said PICRC CEO Ms. Roxanne Siual Blesam. “Through these activities, we hope to inspire curiosity and show students the wide range of ocean-related careers available to them.”

In March and April, PICRC plans to visit Peleliu, Angaur, and Kayangel to share these activities and research with students and communities in the outlying states.