Hawaii Pacific Islands – Vol. 1 No. 16
The research you will read about in this Natural Inquirer was conducted by scientists working at the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, or IPIF. Located in Hilo, HI, scientists at IPIF study a range of environmental topics in Hawai‘i and the Pacific Islands.
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Highlights
- 6 Articles
- Activities and Lesson Plans
- 6 Cultural Essays
- Glossary
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The scientists in this study were interested in learning about birds living in different sized kīpuka on the island of Hawai‘i. Kīpuka are like islands of forest surrounded by hardened...Treasure Islands: Hawaiian Kīpuka and the Future of Native Hawaiian Birds
The scientists in this study were interested in learning about birds living in different sized kīpuka on the island of Hawai‘i. Kīpuka are like islands of forest surrounded by hardened... -
Koa is one of the most valued of tropical woods. A particular type of koa tree, called Acacia koa, is found in the Hawaiian Islands. The wood from this tree...Koa Constrictors: Studying Things That Slow the Growth of Koa Crop Trees
Koa is one of the most valued of tropical woods. A particular type of koa tree, called Acacia koa, is found in the Hawaiian Islands. The wood from this tree... -
Mangrove forests include trees and shrubs found in the tropics that have large root structures and create barriers that help protect coastlines. The mangrove forests provide protection for the villages,...Mangrove Mania: How Elevation Change and Sea-Level Rise Affect Mangrove Forests
Mangrove forests include trees and shrubs found in the tropics that have large root structures and create barriers that help protect coastlines. The mangrove forests provide protection for the villages,... -
In this study, the scientists wanted to test a method of calculating the amount of carbon stored by plants across a large area of land. They chose the island of...Beam Me Down, Scotty: The Use of Airborne and Satellite Technology to Measure Carbon in Hawaiian Forests
In this study, the scientists wanted to test a method of calculating the amount of carbon stored by plants across a large area of land. They chose the island of... -
From 1920 to 1950, a tree species called albizia (Falcataria moluccana) was brought to Hawai‘i from islands located north and northeast of Australia. A fast-growing tree, albizia now grows all...Don’t Litter the Stream: An Invasive Tree Species and a Hawaiian Stream Food Web
From 1920 to 1950, a tree species called albizia (Falcataria moluccana) was brought to Hawai‘i from islands located north and northeast of Australia. A fast-growing tree, albizia now grows all... -
The Ka‘ūpūlehu dry forest is located on the leeward size of the island of Hawai‘i. The forest land is owned by Kamehameha Schools, which is dedicated to preserving traditional Hawaiian...Left High and Dry? Attempting to Restore a Tropical Dry Forest in Hawaii
The Ka‘ūpūlehu dry forest is located on the leeward size of the island of Hawai‘i. The forest land is owned by Kamehameha Schools, which is dedicated to preserving traditional Hawaiian...
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The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: What are the similarities and differences between isolated environments of various sizes? Materials: Copy of charts provided “Treasure Islands” article Access...FACTivity – Treasure Islands
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: What are the similarities and differences between isolated environments of various sizes? Materials: Copy of charts provided “Treasure Islands” article Access... -
In this FACTivity, you will explore the reasons the scientists in this study might have chosen to be involved in the study.FACTivity – Koa Constrictors
In this FACTivity, you will explore the reasons the scientists in this study might have chosen to be involved in the study. -
All the world’s ice can be divided into two types: sea ice (icebergs) and sheet ice (ice on land). Although both types of ice are at risk of melting if...FACTivity – Mangrove Mania
All the world’s ice can be divided into two types: sea ice (icebergs) and sheet ice (ice on land). Although both types of ice are at risk of melting if... -
In this FACTivity, you will answer the question, “What are the similarities and differences of two recent studies of carbon storage in tropical forests?” You will identify how these studies...FACTivity – Beam Me Down, Scotty
In this FACTivity, you will answer the question, “What are the similarities and differences of two recent studies of carbon storage in tropical forests?” You will identify how these studies... -
In this FACTivity, you will answer the question: What are some ways that albizia leaves may be changing the Hawaiian stream food web? Materials: Food web circles (included) Paper for...FACTivity – Don’t Litter the Stream!
In this FACTivity, you will answer the question: What are some ways that albizia leaves may be changing the Hawaiian stream food web? Materials: Food web circles (included) Paper for... -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: If people are able to restore degraded ecosystems, is it acceptable to destroy them for our temporary use? Materials needed: Copies...FACTivity – Left High and Dry
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: If people are able to restore degraded ecosystems, is it acceptable to destroy them for our temporary use? Materials needed: Copies... -
In this FACTivity, you will use the data provided in a table to calculate the results of a planting program in Hawai’i. Then you will pretend that you are in...FACTivity – Endangered Plants (Left High and Dry)
In this FACTivity, you will use the data provided in a table to calculate the results of a planting program in Hawai’i. Then you will pretend that you are in... -
After reading the Hawai’i-Pacific Islands edition of Natural Inquirer, examine these images from articles in the journal. Explain what each of these images means. You may write your explanation or...eyeChallenge – Hawai’i-Pacific Islands
After reading the Hawai’i-Pacific Islands edition of Natural Inquirer, examine these images from articles in the journal. Explain what each of these images means. You may write your explanation or... -
Test your knowledge with a crossword puzzle after reading the Hawai’i-Pacific Islands edition of Natural Inquirer.Crossword – Hawai’i-Pacific Islands
Test your knowledge with a crossword puzzle after reading the Hawai’i-Pacific Islands edition of Natural Inquirer.
Glossary
View All GlossaryClassroom Review Board
David Pavel’s 7th and 8th grade Science Class
- Laupahoehoe High and Elementary School
- Laupahoehoe, HI
Editorial Review Board Comments
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Jim Allen
My favorite science experiences have been those that involve the opportunity to discover new things about forests. I enjoy working with the people who depend on the forests I’ve studied....View Profile -
Greg Asner
My favorite science experience occurred in 2009 when my team and I climbed upward from the Amazon forests into the Andes mountains in Peru. After we made it to the...View Profile -
Trisha Atwood
My favorite science experience was when I was collecting a tissue/DNA sample from a dead whale floating off the coast of Hawai‘i so that we could try and identify what...View Profile -
Susan Cordell
My favorite science experience is returning to our tropical dry forest restoration experimental plots and seeing native species thrive. A decade ago, most people thought we were crazy to attempt...View Profile -
Nicole Cormier
My favorite science experience has been traveling and working on tropical islands like those in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). I have been fortunate to work in old growth...View Profile -
Katherine Ewel
My favorite science experience was working with people in another culture to help them see their natural environment from a different viewpoint. Making the right management decisions often depends on...View Profile -
David Flaspohler
My favorite science experience was realizing that science is about exploration and curiosity. As an ecologist, I get to spend a lot of time watching nature. I observe the behavior...View Profile -
J.B. Friday
My favorite scientific experience on this project was seeing how the native plants, particularly the Hawaiian mint, grew back after we controlled the grasses. The Hawaiian forest was once full...View Profile -
Christian Giardina
I like being a scientist because I like understanding how nature works. It is great to have a job studying plants and animals and the forests in which they live....View Profile -
Patrick Hart
I am an ecologist who studies birds on the island of Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i has some of the most beautiful birds in the world. Many of the native bird populations, however,...View Profile -
R. Flint Hughes
My favorite science experience was working with local villagers in the rain forests of southern Mexico. I was working to understand how deforestation and land use were changing those forests...View Profile -
Travis Idol
My favorite science experience was measuring the growth of roots into mesh bags filled with soil. The bags were placed in holes in the ground in forests of different ages....View Profile -
Ken W. Krauss
My favorite science experience is working directly with land managers to communicate the results of our scientific studies. Sharing this information helps the managers make important land management decisions. I...View Profile -
Richard MacKenzie
When I was little, I used to come home from the creek behind our house covered in mud. I still do. I love that I get to study fish, insects,...View Profile -
Moana McClellan
One of my favorite things about working in the Hawaiian tropical dry forests is the chance to learn about endemic plant species. These are plants that are found nowhere else....View Profile -
Dean Meason
My favorite science experience was working in the soil in the native forests of Hawai‘i. Soils can be wet and gooey or light and fluffy. Some soils are rich with...View Profile -
Paul Scowcroft
My favorite science experience was discovering why hanging a sheet of shade cloth on the east side of native ohia tree seedlings protected them from frost damage. At 6,500 feet...View Profile -
Jason Turner
I think every day is my greatest science day because, in this field, you never know what is around the corner. Last week, I helped recover the lower jaw of...View Profile -
Amanda Uowolo
My favorite science experience occurred while collecting data on species diversity, density, and size in a forest in the Republic of Palau. We had our noses to the ground looking...View Profile -
Tracy Wiegner
My favorite science experience was hiking along the Waipi‘o Valley rim in the cloud forest to collect samples from the streams dropping into the valley. I lay in the streambed...View Profile -
Yvonne Yarber Carter
Only 5 percent of Hawai‘i’s dry tropical forest remains. A special science experience was having two different kinds of volunteer groups help with our restoration efforts in the dry forest....View Profile
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.
What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.
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Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
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What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
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Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
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Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
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Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
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Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
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Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
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Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
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Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
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Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
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FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
We Welcome Feedback
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Director, Natural Inquirer program -
Email
Lessons
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In this lesson, students will increase their reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, and summarization and explanation skills. Students will role-play as members of the Natural Inquirer Twitter Team (now X...Lesson Plan – Twitter Team
In this lesson, students will increase their reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, and summarization and explanation skills. Students will role-play as members of the Natural Inquirer Twitter Team (now X... -
This lesson plan can be paired with any of the cultural essays from the Hawai’i-Pacific Islands edition of Natural Inquirer. After a brief introduction, students will read the cultural essay...Lesson Plan – Cultural Essay
This lesson plan can be paired with any of the cultural essays from the Hawai’i-Pacific Islands edition of Natural Inquirer. After a brief introduction, students will read the cultural essay...