Independent Study "Skill" Project

MOP students are required to complete a MOP Skill Project of their choice and design. Students work with scientists and the community on marine or fresh water projects to explore their interests. Student internships and research projects have encompassed a wide variety of topics. Past projects have run from scientific research to endeavors in the arts.  Each year, students from all UH campuses have the opportunity to present the results of their projects at the annual MOP Student Symposium.

Instructor approval and written project plans are generally required prior to enrollment. Students generally present their work at a UH system-wide student symposium.  Recent projects have focused on:

• Water quality in Nawiliwili stream and Kalapaki beach
• The effect of communications towers on endangered marine birds
• Educational outreach on ciguatera fish poisoning
• Detailed beach survey of marine debris quantity and type
• Facilitating vessel reporting of marine debris for use in predictive ocean circulation models
• Electronic reef surveying technology
• Water quality at Ha`ena treatment facility and Ke`e Beach
• Migration of beach sediments by wave action along the Mana coastal plain

Details of the Skill Project

The MOP philosophy is that with only classroom and laboratory learning, you leave college incompletely educated about the ocean.  Therefore, first-hand experience is central to the MOP Certificate requirements.

OCN 101 is designed to help you choose a topic and develop a written plan or proposal for your independent project.  The project is carried out while enrolled in an independent study course, OCN 199v. By enrolling for credits while carrying out the project, it becomes part of your academic record.

MOP staff help you survey potential topics, identify an appropriate mentor, prepare your proposal and carry out your project in a timely fashion. You can come in with an idea, find a ready-made opportunity, or work with staff to develop an idea.  Not all projects fit the academic calendar; however, such projects can be accommodated.  You may undertake a project alone or with one or more MOP students.  The projects can be based on- or off-campus.  Often MOP can provide supplies, equipment, or funds to assist with your project.

Keep in touch with your MOP Coordinator during the project by submitting periodic progress reports.  Projects are concluded by a final report which may be in the form of a written paper, an oral presentation at the annual MOP Student Symposium, a performance, an art show, or in whatever medium best displays your work.  MOP Coordinators assist students in selecting an appropriate format for the final report and guide students in evaluating their learning.For more information, contact the KCC Marine Option Program Coordinator.

Annual MOP Student Symposium

The MOP Student Symposium is held each spring semester at one of the MOP campuses.  The Symposium provides a professional, scientific venue for MOP students to give oral or poster presentations of their Skill Projects, and gives students the opportunity to meet other MOP students, learn about research projects from other MOP campuses, and practice their presentation skills.

MOP students may receive one of the following awards at the Symposium:

• Best Internship Paper
•  Best Research Paper
•  Best Poster
• John P. Craven Award - awarded for the most inspired and inspirational presentation by a MOP "Child of the Sea"
• PACON International, Hawaiʻi Chapter, MOP Symposium Award - awarded for best paper integrating marine science and technology with a Pacific focus

Also awarded at the Symposium is the Anna Toy Ng Memorial MOP Scholarship.  The scholarship is presented to a MOP student who exhibits excellence in marine scholarship, ocean stewardship, and contributions to MOP.