Briefly In Education

Hula dance company to perform

The Mid-Pacific Institute School of the Arts award-winning dance company, Pupukahi I Ke Alo O Na Pua, will perform at 7 p.m. today at the Laguna Beach High School Artists' Theatre, 625 Park Ave.

Under the direction of master hula teacher, (Kumu Hula) Michael Casupang, the troupe gave workshops to all of the high school dance students Thursday and today at the school, where they had the opportunity to learn about the history of the hula, basic foot movements, steps and costuming, said Kevin Yates, spokeswoman for the Laguna Beach Unified School District.

As a part of the educational exchange, students from both schools will participate in a collaboration piece, choreographed by Casupang and LBHS dance director and teacher Lisa Jay, combining the different dance forms they have been studying over the years.

Cost is a $5 donation at the door.

*

Club members learn from Ocean Institute

The Ocean Institute's Adopt-a-Class program recently paid a visit to the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, where it taught kids in kindergarten through fourth grade about the ocean and its inhabitants.

Kids learned about the moon and how it affects the tides, as well as how trash affects the ocean and tide pools, said Michelle Ray, development director at the club. They had the opportunity to see the effects of pollution up close, when the instructors showed them a dead baby shark and sea turtle. They were also able to touch and compare examples of sea life from the tide pools, including sea urchins and sea stars. Ray said the children had lots of questions about the Intertidal Zone of our local beaches, which the Ocean Institute's knowledgeable staff was able to answer.

The Club's Even Start Preschool Program also made a special field trip to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, where the children participated in the "House for Hermit Crab" lab workshop, where they interacted with sea animals like hermit crabs. The children had the opportunity to discover the tidal animals and their natural habitats through a series of hands-on activities.

"It is so important for children to have hands-on experiences like this," said Preschool Director Terry Anne Barman. "When studying biology and science later in their education, they will remember this exciting adventure and learn faster."