Turning your Hokas into browser tabs — so every student can explore Hawai‘i’s ecosystems and cultures without leaving campus
It’s not every day you get to bring a field course across the Pacific without boarding a plane. Over the past few months, we have been working on something that feels both ambitious and overdue. We are transforming the Integrated Sciences Hawaii field course into a fully immersive online experience. For years, this course has taken students into lush valleys, across volcanic landscapes, and along coral reefs to explore the interconnected systems that shape both culture and ecology. Not everyone can step away from work, family, or other commitments to spend two weeks in the field, so we wanted to make sure those students could still engage with the same depth of learning.
Meet the Project Team
Every project like this comes to life because of the people behind it. We’re a small group of students and faculty, each bringing different skills and perspectives, all working toward the same goal: making this course something every student can step into, wherever they are.
Ilya
I’m in my third year and I’m integrating psychology, pharmacology, and physiology. I’ve been lucky enough to work with Denise and Steve on this project, bringing my skills in visual media, storyboarding, and systems thinking to the mix. It’s been exciting to help shape a course that feels immersive and accessible, and I can’t wait for you to explore it.
Grace
I am entering my fourth year, integrating neuroscience and genetics. Completing the Iceland field course has become a highlight of my undergraduate experience, and I am excited to be a part of the process of creating a more accessible version.
Drishti
I am in my third year, integrating data science, behavioural science and system design in my degree. I am exploring the universal design for learning aspect of this project and contributing to the curriculum design. It’s been fascinating to get a behind-the-scenes look at how university courses come together, especially one with such an immersive learning component. I’m so excited for you all to experience what we’ve been working on!
Denise
This is my seventh season teaching systems and sustainability, both in the classroom and abroad. I learn everyday from the students that I have had the pleasure to encounter over these years and to hear them reflect on how they continue to use this toolkit in their academic and community experiences. I view this project as a stepping stone to broadening the reach of the transformative learnings I have been able to share with students over the years.
Steve
I have 20 years teaching field courses and working with this team is an exciting next step in my career. Embarking on a new task like this is fun and learning along the way is the point of all of this, isn’t it?