The Advanced Chemistry class took a trip to Coconut Island in Kaneohe Bay to visit the world-renowned Marine Biology Research Station and conduct labs with scientists from the University of Hawaii’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.

Teacher James Bell discovered the opportunity this summer. On Jan. 23, his class of 18 students worked with scientists on the subject of climate change and ocean changes.

Bell said, “We participated in a bigger lab than we would be able to have in our class. It was two and a half hours long. The lab was specifically looking at corals and how corals might be affected by the pH changes in the ocean caused by climate change.”

Ocean acidification is one of the most prevalent signs of climate change, the class learned. Students also witnessed first-hand the effects of pH levels on the ocean and how harmful they can be to ocean organisms.

Senior Minami Inafuku said, “By going to Coconut Island, I learned new things about our environment and the marine animals living in the sea. I learned that CO2 is on the rise in our environment, affecting the pH of the water and the growth of the corals. To decrease the amounts of CO2 we produce, we can turn off lights whenever we are not using them and by driving smart with less-consuming gas autos or by taking the bus.”

This was the first time an Academy class was able to go to the research station, but Bell hopes that he will be able to continue to take his Advanced Chemistry classes because of the chance to work on real-world issues in such an advantageous scientific setting.