Internet 2 Telepresence Demo--February 9 & 10, 2006
On February 9 and 10, 2006, freshmen and sophomores in our MeneMAC learning center became pioneers for Internet 2 in Hawaii schools! Moanalua was the first Hawaii school to experience a live dive videoconference over Internet 2. All week, technology experts, along with marine scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biolody, Universtiy of Hawaii Information Technology Services, and our DOE and MoHS Technology Teams, worked together to connect our MeneMACers, not just with the world, but with the undersea world, up close and personal...in real time!
Patty Miller, well known to Hawaii students as host of the KidScience series, and Dr. Kuulei Rogers, Marine Scientist and researcher from the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology at Coconut Island, moderated the discussion between MoHS students and Ernie Kovacs, the diver in Kaneohe Bay.

And what a dive it was! Students were able to see Ernie interact with feather duster worms, use a harmless marine dye to view corals, discuss the causes and effects of coral bleaching, and more!

In addition, they were able to watch the experts troubleshoot and support the technology that made it all work. And they learned that whenever Ernie the diver spoke to them or listened to their questions, he had to hold his breath!

As students observed the dive, they were able to collect data, using notesheets prepared by Patty Miller and the knowledge they'd gained from pre-conference sessions with teachers Theresa Nishite and Kenton Wong.

All agreed that this is the way to really "do science" and offer thanks and admiration to the many experts and educators who made this possible: Dr. David Lassner, Yul Pyun, Patty Miller, Dr. Kuulei Rogers, David Bizot, Darrel Galera, Lance Kiyabu, and everyone else on this dream team of technology!

© MHS