Take Action at Imiloa
Written by Amber Manini
“Student pass, please!" At the sound and sight of young adults carrying backpacks and sometimes extra bags holding props, Imiloa Astronomy Center staff immediately rush over issuing all students a pass allowing them exclusive entrance into the Imiloa Astronomy exhibit. For seventy-five minutes, these communications or drama students call the exhibit their classroom.
Communications 387 cross listed with Drama 387 is a performance education course taught at the Imiloa Astronomy Center. Through this course students are guided through the process of researching, writing, rehearsing and performing presentations for the public in a Museum Theatre setting. Students take part in doing two main presentations. The first presentation they are required to perform from a script that has already been written and is specific to some of the exhibits in the Imiloa Astronomy Center. The second presentation requires students to use the exhibits in Imiloa and create their own presentation from scratch.
University of Hawaii at Hilo Alumni, Kailyn Kealoha was recently asked about her experiences taking COM 387 in Fall 2013. Kealoha responded saying, “I had an amazing time working with my classmates coming up with new skits to perform, very fun and you gain a lot of knowledge when putting together a performance. You need to think outside of the box to make it interesting.” Kealoha a Physical Education teacher, applies the knowledge learned in the classroom to her own work. “The course was beneficial for me because I knew I wanted to be a teacher but I was always afraid to talk in front of others. When I took the class I felt more comfortable,” said Kealoha.
This course provides students with an intern like experience in a classroom setting. All students are required to take an exam on the Imiloa exhibits and therefore act as staff members assisting visitors with questions they may have as well. Students are able to put on two hats while receiving three upper division communications or drama credits. The first hat, being a student and the second, being an intern employee at the Imiloa Astronomy Center.
Dr. Justina Mattos, the instructor and creator of this course shared her comments on the course and its impact on the students. “One of the things this class does is encourage students to think independently and at the same time work collaboratively to produce a valuable final product. Students have commented on how the course has helped them to improve their research and writing skills, as well as to think more critically about the things they wrote about and would later present because it wasn't just for a grade, what they did would impact other people (their audiences) directly,” Said Mattos.
Since the courses opening as an experimental course in Summer 2012, students have utilized Imiloa’s exhibits to the best of their ability. Helping Imiloa to achieve its goal of combining Hawaiian History and culture with the use of science and modern technology. Through the art of communications, presentations shared at Imiloa provide visitors and guests with an understanding of an array of different topics. Topics such as the Hawaiian moon phases, Hawaiian gods and goddesses, effects of the weather, and different Hawaiian stories that help to teach science.
Imiloa is an active learning environment. Take advantage of Performance Education and step outside your comfort zone enhancing your communications skills. As Dr. Mattos would say, “"Edutainment": Speaking and Performing for Educational Purposes.”
For more information on the course and to see pictures and show times please visit the Communications 387 Performance Education Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Com387
