College of EducationSTEMS²Curriculum Search

Kīpuka for Every School

The unit plan, a kīpuka for every school, is designed to grow inquiry, exploration, and a sense of place into unique spaces in our environment that provide sources of growth. These unique spaces can be called a kīpuka, a variation or change of form from the surrounding area. Kīpuka comes in many shapes and variations, from a small forested island amongst a field of lava to a place of coral amongst a sandy ocean floor. A kīpuka supports a vast network of living organisms and grows community.

This curriculum is still under review by faculty. Units identified as Under Review have been submitted by educators. While they are available to view now, they are currently being reviewed by our curriculum committee for addition to this site.

Standards Aligned

Next Generation Science Standards, Social Studies (C3), Common Core Math, Common Core ELA, Na Hapena A'o

Community Partner(s)

The Hawaiʻi Association of Watershed Partnerships is a great community partner for this Unit Plan, as they are found islandwide and support restoration efforts of native ecosystems and promote community engagement for all learners.

Essential Question

How do we grow diversity, collaboration, and community like a kīpuka?

Enduring Understanding

1. Students will gain a sense of purpose to actively participate in caring for their place that

extends beyond themselves.

2. Students will experience how to learn and collaborate with others for a shared goal in

caring for spaces.

3. Students will understand the value in taking action to care for place

4. Students will understand the importance of native Hawaiian species and their connection

to cultural resources.

Content

Author

Lauren DeMent

Learner Level Elementary

Primary Content Social Studies, STEM, Science, Math, Indigenous Knowledge, English Language Arts, Agriculture