Professor Guanlin Gao’s environmental economics class recently headed outdoors to see their classroom learnings in action. On October 11, the class headed to the Waihe’e Water Tunnel operated by the Board of Water Supply to learn about the economics behind water recycling and conservation.
“The Waihe’e Tunnel and watershed tour not only offers an experience walking inside the 1,500-foot dike tunnel that provides water to Windward Oahu, but also allows us to actually see the water recycling process,” says Dr. Gao. “It will help students better understand water recycling and conservation, as well as the concept of a natural monopoly.”
Chaminade is known for bringing education out of the classroom and into everyday surroundings. It’s not uncommon for students to snorkel on a coral reef, hike a nearby valley, visit a police investigation lab, intern at a hospital or volunteer in an elementary school classroom. After all, the best learning happens by doing.
“Besides learning economic models and theories, I also want my students to have the first-hand experience and know the real-world applications of the knowledge they have learned in the classroom,” says Dr. Gao. “I know that will help them understand the things we learn in class better and leave them with a long-lasting memory.”
