Marine Science is a science elective at Kalani, taught this year by Cayla Pang. In marine science, students learn about the ecosystem and oceanography. 

Each teacher has a different approach to learning; from the perspective of one of Ms. Pang’s students, she is a visual teacher, and the majority of the work she assigns is very engaging and allows students to collaborate with each other.

“ She does hands-on activities and stuff, so that’s a pretty good way to learn,” Takeo Eckart (11) says. “It’s much better than lectures.” 

Working efficiently and being disciplined are highly expected in Pang’s class. Students recognize that certain actions against Pang’s rules and standards have ramifications. 

 “Always clean up after yourself, or you’ll have to serve consequences,” Ryder Kam (11) says.

Hands-on activities can mean many things, like vocabulary scavenger hunts, chemistry labs, and math puzzles. However, in marine biology class, they do things like recycled trash projects, music videos, and marine presentations, permitting students to see and learn everything visually.

“We made 3D fish out of trash to represent biomagnification and toxins throughout fish food,” Eckart says.

For some students, this has become a learning lesson and opened their eyes to the severity and state of the ecosystem. 

“I thought it was very meaningful because we were able to recycle and use stuff that was already in the trash to help the environment,” Kaimana Cantlas (11) says.

Students in marine science say everyone will enjoy it because of the way that Ms. Pang teaches. 

“When she teaches us, you can tell she is passionate in what she does,” says Daniel Murayama (10) says.