News Release

Free transportation now available for schools that participate in Earth, Sea, Sky program

A park ranger leads a group of young backpack-wearing school children on a hike near plants
Park Ranger Erin Deskin explains the importance of Hawaiian plants to a group of schoolchildren in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

NPS Photo

Subscribe RSS Icon | What is RSS
News Release Date: February 2, 2023

Contact: Jody Anastasio, 808-985-6020

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park received a wonderful start to the new year with a $50,000 grant from The National Park Foundation that provides eligible schools with free transporation and admission to the national park, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center and Mokupāpapa Discovery Center. 

To be eligible, schools must participate in the Earth, Sea, Sky field trips developed in partnership by the three East Hawaiʻi learning destinations. Through field trips with each organization, students learn how interdependent life is on the island of Hawaiʻi, as well as how to mālama ʻāina, care for the world around us. Students are also exposed to a diverse range of scientific research happening on island and the different careers available.

The Earth, Sea, Sky program debuted in March 2022 at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (earth), Mokupāpapa Discovery Center (sea) and ʻImiloa Astronomy Center (sky). In that first spring, 11 Hawaiʻi schools participated. The program originally targeted sixth through tenth graders, but the new National Park Foundation Open Outdoors for Kids grant expands the opportunity to also include fourth graders.

For more information on the Earth, Sea, Sky program and to schedule a fee-free field trip and transportation, email Erin Deskin at havo_education@nps.gov

More educational classroom resources are available at all three partners’ websites: 

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park:  https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/education/curriculummaterials.htm

ʻImiloa Astronomy Center: 
www.imiloahawaii.org 

Mokupāpapa Discovery Center: 
https://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/new-education/

And don’t forget, every fourth grader is eligible for a free park pass through the Every Kid Outdoors program. Ask at the park entrance or visit https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm

-NPS-

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

About the National Park Foundation. The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate, and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at www.nationalparks.org.
.


 



Last updated: February 2, 2023

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 52
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718

Phone:

808 985-6011

Contact Us