BIORETS
2025 Participants
Meet our 2025 BIORETS participants! Read their reflections from their summer experience and come back here in Spring 2026 to hear more about their school year.
Jon Watase
Reflections on the 2025 BIORETS Internship at Bishop Museum: A Summer of Profound Growth and Transformation
Aloha, my name is Jon Watase, and I am the Director of Agricultural and Sustainability Programs at Saint Louis School, as well as an instructor of Microeconomics and Environmental Economics at Chaminade University of Honolulu.
This past summer, I was honored to participate in the 2025 BIORETS internship at Bishop Museum. This intensive seven-week experience proved to be a pivotal journey that significantly advanced my understanding and capabilities across mental, cultural, and professional dimensions. Despite my extensive background in teaching indigenous science, agricultural science, and life sciences, I had not fully embraced my identity as a scientist until this profound experience. The BIORETS program unequivocally transformed that perspective.
The BIORETS program presented an invaluable opportunity to expand my expertise beyond my prior comfort zone. I gained comprehensive skills in designing rigorous, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-aligned curricula and scientific workshops, alongside developing meaningful assessments and mastering the collection of precise, purposeful data. The immersive and challenging nature of the workshop significantly accelerated my learning, compelling me to quickly assimilate complex concepts and adapt to new and dynamic situations.
The field experiences within Hawai‘i’s Waianae breathtaking mountain ranges were particularly impactful. Immersing myself in these living laboratories deepened my appreciation for our islands’ unique biodiversity and underscored the urgent imperative for conservation. Collaborating with leading experts and passionate educators within the program was truly inspiring; their profound dedication and exceptional expertise have left a lasting impression on me.
Perhaps most significantly, this internship has fundamentally reshaped my pedagogical approach. I have meticulously revamped my K–12 and college curricula to integrate the invaluable insights I gained, particularly focusing on the critical intersections of biodiversity, conservation, economics, and policy. Topics such as the plight of the kahuli snail and the vital importance of sustainable policy are now seamlessly woven throughout my courses, ensuring students grasp the real-world implications and impact of their learning.
As I start the new academic year, I do so with a renewed sense of confidence and a deeper, more defined purpose. I wholeheartedly recommend the BIORETS program to any educator committed to their growth as a scientist, curriculum designer, and advocate for positive change within our community. This experience is truly transformative, both professionally and personally.
With deepest gratitude, I extend my heartfelt mahalo to everyone at Bishop Museum and to my remarkable cohort members for making this summer an unforgettable and immensely enriching experience.
Justine Jumalon
I had the privilege to work at the Bishop Museum this summer and immerse myself in the study of our Kāhuli, Native Hawaiian Land Snails. I was fortunate to experience various aspects of conservation science such as field work/field surveys, lab work, and conducting experiments to collect data that will further teach us more about what we don’t know. The biggest takeaway from this experience was the importance of conservation for our Native Hawaiian biodiversity and ecosystems. Yes, the Kāhuli are important, but true conservation takes into consideration all parts of the ‘āina. This summer was highly transformative and I intend to continue using my role as a teacher to educate my students on the importance of mālama ‘āina. As you may know with teachers, I have a direct pilina with the next generation who will inherit the work we do now and be responsible for carrying on our practices for the betterment of our land.
Kiane Prietto
The BIORETS–REACHES program, funded by the National Science Foundation, offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for teachers to engage in hands-on research focused on Native Hawaiian biodiversity, ʻike kūpuna, and aloha ʻāina.
This program has completely transformed my teaching. I developed a full year’s worth of curriculum rooted in real-world science and cultural relevance — and it resonated deeply with my students.
- Professional Growth: Work alongside scientists in the field and bring authentic ecological research into your classroom.
- Cultural Integration: Learn from cultural leaders and gain a glimpse into past work in the Bishop Museum archives to embed place-based and cultural learning into your teaching.
- Community & Curriculum: Connect with local conservation sites and initiatives that allow your students to engage meaningfully in biodiversity and stewardship.
- Collaboration: Join a powerful network of educators and experts committed to preserving Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems.
This program empowers you to teach with impact and purpose. Let’s grow together and inspire the next generation to be the best stewards of this land.
Research experiences were complemented with multiple workshops, professional development activities, and networking opportunities.
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