This engaging art‑science activity invites students to color and wear masks representing native Hawaiian species and natural elements, such as forest birds (e.g., ʻiʻiwi, ʻalalā), plants (koa, hāpuʻu), aquatic creatures (honu, ʻāholehole), and natural elements like sun (Lā), wind (Makani), and water (Wai). A downloadable lesson plan guides a web-of-life role-play, demonstrating interconnected ecosystems.
Mask coloring and role assignment
Students choose masks (mauka, makai, or elemental) printed double‑sided with species info.
Web of life role-play
In a circle, each student reads their mask’s facts, then tosses yarn to a connected species, naming the relationship.
This forms a “web of life” that visually demonstrates ecosystem interdependence. When a species is lost, the web unravels—illustrating ecosystem collapse.
Enrichment options
Design and research additional “Watershed Friends.”
Create food‑web mobiles or murals, linking mauka and makai organisms with yarn.
Ecosystems & interdependence: visualizing food webs and species connections
Native species literacy: recognizing birds, plants, marine life, and natural elements of Hawaiʻi
Hands-on STEM: incorporating art, storytelling, and physical modeling of ecological webs
Conservation awareness: discussions on species loss, habitat threats, and ecological resilience
