First Day Highlights of Pacific Reef Expedition

Sydney Lynch, Reef Field Technician

Hello! Today was our first full day with the students and it was a busy one. Chief Scientist Heather kicked off classes with the first Reef Foundations and Practical Oceanographic Research classes. Students learned about human impacts on coral reefs in the Pacific and were introduced to our research plan. 

We had lunch and then it was time to head to Wai’anae Beach for a swim assessment and snorkel practice. Everyone did great and they even saw their first few sea turtles! Jeff and I may or may not have driven the students to the wrong beach. It’s fine. 

We ended the day with a movie about the importance of corals in Hawaiian culture and a community check-in. During the check in we created a PRX playlist with everyone’s favorite songs. Featured songs include Hot Wings (I Wanna Party) from the movie Rio, Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by Ruper Holmes, and Enchanted by the one and only Taylor Swift. 

We have some exciting things planned for tomorrow. Guest Lecturer Ellie Jones will be leading us on a snorkel at Lanikai Beach and we’ll have our first Nautical Science class with Capt. Rebecca. Stay tuned for more to come! 

Shoutout to everyone back home! Kayla, I’m taking sooo many pictures for you (of students and Jeff)! Abby, tell baby I said hi. Mom and Dad, squeeze little Jim for me.

Sydney Lynch, Reef Field Technician