Kids & Education

Introduction to Volcanoes in Hawaiʻi - The following are suggested classroom activities to precede a visit to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park or an outdoor field trip in another location. They can be used as stand-alone activities, or in the suggested sequence.

Trace the course of the Japanese surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, and consider the significance of the sunken USS Arizona as a war memorial.

Using the powers of observation, students learn the importance of our native forest and trees to humans in every day life.

Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau contains many stories of past and present Hawaiian peoples. This lesson couples 3D virtual tours with oral histories, archeological data, and historical information to reveal and explore these narratives. Este plan de clase con actividades incluido también está disponible en español.

Night Sky over Kīlauea Caldera NPS Photo/Janice Wei

This module was primarily designed for an on-site visit to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. However, it can be adjusted for an outdoor field trip to another volcanic area, or anywhere that will demonstrate geological processes.

These final classroom activities allow students to contemplate the risks involved in living in areas subject to natural disasters. They can investigate their local emergency response plans, learn from family or friends about natural disaster experiences, and synthesize what they have learned.

In this field trip through Kīpuka Puaulu students will discover the importance of biodiversity, the traditional Hawaiian uses of native plants, the continued value of these plants into the modern era and an appreciation for the ongoing need to protect Hawai‘i's natural resources.

Meeting at the site of one of the longest eruptions in recorded Hawaiian history, we take you on a journey through post eruption, debris, formations, and creation. Using science, math and history, students are able to take an in-depth look into the after-effects of volcanic activity in Hawai'i, as well as gain a better understanding of the different formations created in the process.

The goal of this field trip is to leave students with a deeper, more connected understanding of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and the cultural components that play into it. By teaching students about the stories and history which make up this area of land, students will be able to see things in a much more grounded perspective. Students will leave with a deeper understanding of Hawaiian thinking and the ability to understand the connection of science and folklore.