While learning about sustainability and how to survive the zombie apocalypse in Hawaii, 8th graders created eco-friendly improvements around campus and prepared a 4-course dinner for 100 guest using many local and sustainably farmed ingredients, including local ulu (breadfruit), APIS garden greens (lettuce, kale, basil), and Oahu-raised beef. 7th grade shared their learning about Hawaii’s path from isolation to a globalized business and tourism hub through interactive stations, including virtual reality, flight simulation, and student-made podcasts. 6th grade exhibited their learning about Hawaii’s deep and surface culture through their artist statements, beautiful murals, and music. There were many tearful goodbyes at the end of NPCA, but also many relationships that will continue across our two campuses! Aloha 'Oe and see you again soon, Seoul friends!

Today the 8th graders had their final day of preparation, planning out logistics for serving a dinner to an expected 100 people! In the afternoon, we also revisited our past 3 weeks’ activities by reflecting on how we saw the 5C’s playing an integral role in each of our projects. Finally, we also took breaks today to do interactive games together, as well as “making memories” in small groups!

Today our 8th grade students went through planning logistics for our exhibition night, continuing our meal and campus improvement projects! In the afternoon, we continued doing work on our farm and our individual food-expert projects. We even got to end the last hour of our day with a pool party!

Today the 8th graders spent the morning learning about sustainable farming at Kahuku Farms! Some even got to try smoothies from their fresh-grown ingredients! In the afternoon, students continued refining their projects and planning for our upcoming dinner!

Today 8th grade students started the morning off working on their final projects, creating plans for campus improvement initiatives and experimenting with foods for our exhibition meal! In the afternoon, we established a garden bed and started working on our individual writing projects, which will help tell the story of our final meal’s journey to the table.

Today the 8th graders left campus early to visit and work at the Heeia Fishpond, which is a conservation effort that uses traditional Hawai’ian practices to care for the environment and feed the population of the island. We helped this effort by moving rocks across the river to be placed on the wall! 

In the afternoon, students broke into their project work groups and brainstormed our products for our exhibition night, preparing menus and individual sustainability projects for our community!

Today students spent the morning completing lots of farm tasks, including making a new garden bed where we can plant our own food! We also prepped and cooked our dinner for tonight’s camping trip! In the afternoon, we split into our final project groups and brainstormed our final products! To finish the day, we are camping in Kahana Bay!

Today the 8th grade students had a jam-packed day of learning! In the morning students interviewed our head chef James, learned how to make jiao zi (potstickers), and brainstormed ways to make our campus  and lives more sustainable! In the afternoon, we discussed the history of food systems in Hawaii, and learned the nitrogen cycle! Afterwards, we went to the Waimea farmers market and finished out the day swimming at our favorite local beach! It was a full day!

Today the 8th graders ventured across the island to learn about aquaponics and maximally growing sustainable food at Mari’s Gardens! We discussed plants, fish, and the nitrogen cycle that connects them in aquaponics. In the afternoon, students rotated through classes on infomercials about food consumption, a food lab outlining the different micro/macronutrients that are contained in our food, and how Seoul’s food-waste management system is leading the globe in sustainability!

Today, the 8th-grade students explored the food sourcing and excess waste that are integral to our modern, global food system. Students went to a local grocery store and assess the origin & contents of various food items available, and later had a lesson on food waste. We also took a short “creativity break” where students worked together to make chalk art with limited shapes. In the afternoon, the students went through a rotation of lessons in small-groups, getting a better view of campus on a plant-identifying hike, taking a closer look at how our food systems work, and learning about how maps tell visual stories. Finally, we wrapped up a full day with a 30-minute written reflection!

Today the 8th graders explored sustainability, food, and culture! They spent the morning discussing how food and culture are interconnected in important ways, being introduced to our garden's landscape, and kicking off our Cooking Lab series. In the afternoon, students explored sustainability and challenges that come against it (such as the "fisherman's problem" or "tragedy of the commons") through interactive games, and reading about and discussing the world's most sustainable buildings!

This weekend the NPCA students enjoyed a number of activities.  On Saturday, 6th and 7th graders snorkeled at Turtle Bay, played in the pool, and competed in board games.  The 8th grade went to Honolulu to hike at Diamond Head and shop at Waikiki.  On Sunday, everyone enjoyed the nearby Koko beach, and field games on campus.  

Today the 8th grade students dove into their first full day of NPCA! We started off the day with ice-breakers & get-to-know-you's to help smaller teams solidify their connections, and then we went straight into a zombie-themed escape room activity! Students focused on critical thinking and collaboration in order to complete various activities in time to escape! Afterwards, they explored their surroundings for useful landmarks in the area, brainstormed the long-term problems and solutions posed by a world-wide zombie apocalypse that isolated O'ahu, and learned more about our overarching theme: sustainability & food.
After a meal-time reflection, students jumped into a surprise cooking time where they had to use whatever ingredients & cookware they were given to make a meal (not too bad!!!), and then swapped into learning how to sew grocery bags from used t-shirts. We ended the day with a written reflection that the students will continue to add to throughout our 3 weeks of learning!

The New Pacific Century Academy began today.  The Middle School students from Seoul arrived to campus around 2 PM.  The grade 6, 7, and 8 NPCA programs kicked off today.  There was also free time for students from both campuses to bond through Water Polo, basketball, 9 square, ping pong, and board games.  It looks to be a great 20 Days!

APIS Hawaii is excited to welcome APIS Seoul tomorrow.