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 7th grade students worked hard and efficiently.  The morning included finishing preparation on their immersive stations and running a rehearsal with critique from teachers on campus.  The afternoon was time for the students to finish their podcasts.  They worked so hard, and their podcasts sound amazing!

The 7th graders had a field trip to the Hawaii Tourism Office today, where they learned about how Hawaii is marketing itself to get tourists to travel to Hawaii.  Back at school, the students created postcards and built boats to carry heavy loads in the pool.

Today the 7th grade began to investigate tourism in Hawaii - both the history of it, and where it is headed.  They then analyzed country advertisements - trying to get a better understanding of how effective communication is, and what makes an effective advertisement.   They ended the day by building boats and competing in the fastest boat contest in the APIS swimming pool.

The 7th graders began the day early to visit Hawaii's largest news network: Hawaii News Now.  The students were able to meet the anchors of the Sunrise show, as well as explore the green screen and have a behind-the-scenes tour.  When returning to campus, the 7th graders each received a Virtual Reality headset to dive into Virtual Reality.  The ended the day by learning about the intricate network of undersea cables.

Today the 7th grade worked shortly in the classroom in the morning before traveling down to Pearl Harbor to learn about flight, fly planes in a flight simulator, explore a museum on the attack on Pearl Harbor, and tour historic planes.

The High School taught the 7th graders about the internet and space travel today.  They also launched a rocket 65 meters into the air.  In the afternoon, the 7th graders learned about space elevators, drones, driverless cars, and teleportation.  They created websites on each topic; they also flew drones and created a podcast.

Today the 7th graders dove into flight.  They started the day with calculating the time, distance, and cost of traveling to Hawaii from Seoul.  Then they completed a human history timeline of flight, where each student was a different famous historical figure.  In the afternoon, students created and invented new flying machines, and had a contest to see who could fly them the furthest.  They also worked on Choose Your Own Adventure Stories and Podcasts.

Today, 7th graders learned both about the science behind sound waves, and the history of communication.  Using the phrase, Pace of Change, students tried to grasp the significant change in communication in the last 150 years.  This was written about in their Choose Your Own Adventure stories, and used for their podcasts.  They also had a special treat today, because they were able to skype with Mars One Candidate, Laurel, who spoke about space missions to Mars, and her specific role in the upcoming trips.

7th grade spent the day away from campus.  The first stop was Hawaii Public Radio where students learned the science behind how radio works, and where radio is headed in the future.  The 7th graders visited recording studios and talked to professionals about their experiences in communication.  After spending lunch at A la Moana mall, the students headed to the Bishop Museum, where they observed and took note of ancient artifacts from Hawaiian History.  

The 7th grade began the day with learning about the history of navigational tools, and how navigation directly impacts transportation and globalization.  The students applied their math skills to figure out how far they'd be from Honolulu, if their airplane had left Seoul just one degree off.  They also worked on their compass skills outside.  After that, the students began their podcast project by listening and grading three different podcasts.  They will be creating podcasts based on Hawaiian legends and myths.  They ended the day by visiting Uncle Bobby and assisting him in building a Koa racing canoe.

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.  

The Grade 7 students are thinking through the big idea: Innovations in communication and transportation transform a society from isolation to globalization.  Today, the students learned about the way boats have changed over time, as well as the various functions of different kinds of boats.  The students spent much of their morning at Kahana Bay, learning about Outriggers and Hawaiian culture, and each student was given the chance to row in an Outrigger.  In the afternoon, the class worked on Choose Your Own Adventure stories, and created aluminum boats to see who could carry the most cargo (a lesson on buoyancy and density).

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.