MEd-CS Interdisciplinary Education track with an emphasis in Place Based and Sustainability Education is a 30-credit cohorted program for educators interested in place-based teaching and learning in the ahupua‘a and cultures of Hawai‘i’s students and communities. This project is based on Next Generation Science Standards and Nā Hopena Aʻo, the Hawai‘i Department of Education framework “to develop the skills, behaviors and dispositions that are reminiscent of Hawaiʻi’s unique context, and to honor the qualities and values of the indigenous language and culture of Hawaiʻi.”Place-based activities embodying core Hawaiian cultural values of sustainability and environmental stewardship will develop teachers’ culturally grounded competencies. Courses are field-based, online and at school sites. Three courses are tuition-free with acceptance into Dr. Pauline Chinn’s 2017-2021 NSF grant program. This track will prepare you to: (a) teach ecological, cultural and economic issues, (b) give students real world learning experiences, (c) integrate subjects for problem and project-based learning, and (d) collaborate with school and community colleagues.

9-core credits plus at least 21-credits chosen from the following list (subject to change), or other courses selected in consultation with the program advisor.