Lessons
Way of the Wedgie
The classroom activity package teaches STEM+Art skills through the eyes of a Hawaiian seabird, Wedge-tailed Shearwater or ‘Ua‘u kani, trying to survive in urban Honolulu. For grades 6 – 8 with suggested modifications for grades 9 – 12.
Curriculum Features
The curriculum package (introduction and five lessons) includes activities that use inquiry-based science instruction, aligned to standards for grades 6 – 8 with suggested modifications for grades 9 – 12, to teach students about how biologists and artists work together to study and protect native Hawaiian seabirds
Introduction: Meet a Seabird
Studying Seabirds on Land: Population Monitoring
Learn about the shearwater life cycle and study their growing populations.
Restoring a Seabird Colony
Use real data to monitor shearwater population trends and survivorship.
Staying Alive
Experience the challenges shearwaters face to reach adulthood.
Designing a Nest
Design and test different shearwater nesting shelters (new 2020).
Studying Seabirds at Sea
Discover the winter migration of Hawaiian ʻUaʻu kani using real tracking data (new 2025).
Recorded Workshop for Educators
Learn the story and context behind each lesson.
Virtual tour of Freeman Seabird Preserve
Visit the seabird colony through a short video tour.
Introduction Lesson
Meet a Seabird
Students are introduced to seabirds and the star of the lessons, the ‘Ua‘u kani (Wedge-tailed Shearwater), through a presentation and video. They’ll explore seabird ecology and conservation efforts at Freeman Seabird Preserve. Teacher resources include a lesson overview, standards alignment, and an introductory video highlighting real-world restoration work.
Lesson 1
Studying Seabirds on Land: Population Monitoring
Students analyze real data to track egg and chick counts, explore population trends since 2009, and calculate reproductive success rates. They’ll investigate the Wedge-tailed Shearwater life cycle and deepen their understanding of seabird biology through a video featuring up-close footage at the preserve.
Lesson 2
Restoring a Seabird Colony: Habitat Renovation
Students graph reproductive success across different shearwater nest types and examine how nest numbers at the preserve have changed over time. They’ll evaluate which nest designs offer the best protection against threats. The video celebrates the diverse talents and strengths that work together to protect shearwaters.
Lesson 3
Staying Alive: A Game of Survival
Through a dice simulation game, students experience life as a shearwater trying to survive and successfully raise a chick. They identify threats to eggs, chicks, and adults, assess the impacts of these challenges, and propose conservation actions. A companion video explores how light pollution endangers seabirds and what students can do to help.
Lesson 4
Designing a Nest: Conservation Solutions
Combining science, design, and creativity, students build model nests that reflect shearwater needs and protection from threats. They test their designs to evaluate effectiveness and interpret real temperature data inside ceramic shelters at the preserve. The video showcases how innovative nest solutions emerge from partnerships between artists and biologists.
Lesson 5
Studying Seabirds at Sea: Tracking Migration
In this final lesson, students explore the Wedge-tailed Shearwater’s winter migration beyond the Hawaiian Islands. Using real tracking data, they plot seabird migration routes by hand or digitally, calculate travel distances, and examine how long these journeys take. Students also learn how scientists use technology to study seabirds at sea and apply their knowledge by designing a marine protected area to help mitigate threats seabirds face in the open ocean.
