Talakhaya Watershed Science Fair a huge success

In commemoration of International Year of the Reef 2008, on March 14th Sinapalo Elementary School and Rota Junior High School teamed up with the Talakhaya Revegtation Project for the 1st annual Talakhaya Watershed Science Fair. Following a watershed and coral reef orientation from project staff in December 2007, about 230 students in grades 4 through 9 researched a variety of topics related to the theme: “Watersheds: Protecting our Land and Sea”. From January 2008 to March 2008, the students constructed display boards, presentations, and models to best present the findings of their research topic. Using the scientific method and scoring rubric, they created a science project that was categorized as Life Science, Physical Science or Earth Science.

Five distinguished judges related to the natural resource field and involved in the Talakhaya Project acted as judges for the fair. From Saipan, Frances Castro, Coral Reef Point of Contact and DEQ’s Non Point Source Pollution branch manager, and Kathleen Hermann, CNMI’s New Coral Reef Management Fellow and the incoming Talakhaya Project Coordinator, traveled to Rota to be judges for the fair. From Rota, Issaac Calvo of the Luta Soil and Water Conservation District, James Manglona of DLNR Forestry, responsible for the technical lead of the project, and Gary Toves of DEQ-Rota who conducts all water quality data for the project, spent the entire day scoring 80 team projects from RJHS, and 25 team projects from SES.

Last week both schools conducted award ceremonies where certificates were distributed and DEQ presented awards for the highest ranking projects, based on an average of all the judges’ scores. Mayor of Rota-provided Channel 5 was also there to film the entire event, highlighting each of the student’s projects and awards ceremonies and helping to share the message with the community “REAL HUNTERS DON’T BURN.”

Under Division of Environmental Quality auspices, the Talakhaya project has been in existence for three years. The project aims to reduce soil erosion and pollutants from draining into the reef while engaging the community in its restoration. This PSS partnership was an education initiative to involve the community, promote coral reef conservation, and the concept of wildfire effects to the coral reefs. For the public schools, the science fair was an opportunity to fulfill their standard benchmarks for science which mandates the completion of a 3rd quarter integrated project. Bringing real world application to their research in this placed-based, experiential education endeavor, we hope the lessons learned will be passed on to the next generation. A win-win project for both DEQ and PSS, we hope the science fair promotes young scientists to consider the environmental sector for their career, helps deter intentional burning of the Talakhaya region, and encourages the Rota community to take care of their pristine natural resources, specifically coral reefs and the watersheds that support their health.

Special appreciation to all of the teachers at Sinapalo Elementary School:.Enterina Calvo, Anna Mendiola, Valerie Atalig and Joey Quitugua, and Rota Junior High: Pinckney Steiner and Iros Waguk, for their enthusiasm and dedication in guiding the students through their first science fair. School principals Vanessa Hocog and Maria Sablan were excited by the mutually beneficial partnership and look forward to next years fair even recommended a proposed theme: “Coral Reefs: Our health, our wealth, and our lives”.

For more information on how your government projects or private businesses can best catalyze a science fair in your local school, contact Rota Coral Conservation Program Coordinator Lihla Noori @532-3102 or lihla.noori@gmail.com. [B][I](Lihla Noori)[/I][/B]