Rota High students get scuba dive certification

Rota High School welcomed three more scuba dive certified students as an extension of their Marine Science education program. Tito Hocog, Chris Hocog and Loryanne Weilbacher join Francine Manibusan, Johnny Sikebert and Roselinda Sikebert as members of Rota High School’s Student Dive Team.

RHS principal Jesus Songsong initiated and supported the development of marine science education four years ago and the program continues to grow.

Students learn about the marine environment through kinesthetic experiences and curriculum designed by the Curriculum Research and Development Group of the University of Hawaii. The marine program, including a marine science class and the marine club – snorkelers and divers – has expanded toward community based education with the assistance of Luta Marine Education Center, a nonprofit organization with a mission to cooperatively support the marine education of the community of Rota and its visitors.

Students interested in scuba certification can apply for partial scholarships through the Luta Marine Education Center. NAUI instructor, Douglas Skilang, in cooperation with Dive Rota, ensures that students are given careful instruction and adequate time to solidify knowledge and skills in a safe manner.

Scuba certification includes content in human physiology, physics, biology and math and the application of this knowledge in practical situations through creating dive plans, calculating dive profiles and maintaining safe diving practices. Not only does this satisfy academic curriculum, but students gain skills that are useful for future career opportunities.

Snorkeling and diving skills are used as means of facilitating practical marine research at Rota High School. Students have been involved in a number of projects including fish-count transect studies, underwater mapping and organism habitat surveys.

Over 40 students, including student divers, snorkelers and land crew members, assisted in the Sept. 18 Project Aware International Cleanup Effort. Marine Science class members lead crews collecting, recording and submitting data for international compilation and for Rota.

Rota Reef Check, completed with the assistance of Dr. Sandra Romano of the UOG Marine Lab, Dive Rota and the approval of F&W, also included the efforts of RHS teachers and students.