Education

Stories dealing with Education on Bonaire

Friday, February 03, 2012

CIEE Announces Two Upcoming Presentations

Mark the calendar for CIEE Research Station’s upcoming public presentations on Tuesday February 7th and Tuesday February 21st, 2012.

The presentation on February 7th is entitled “Lionfish in Bonaire: Picky Eaters or Gluttons of the Sea?” and will be presented by Fadilah Ali, from the University of Southampton. The February 21st presentation is entitled “For good sex in the dark you need your nose: True confessions of a Bonairean nectar-feeding bat”, to be presented by Jafet M. Nassar.

Both presentations will be held at the CIEE Research Station located at Kaya Gob. N. Debrot 26 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM and all are invited to attend. Admission is free. (Source: CIEE Bonaire)

Monday, January 23, 2012

Bonaire Marine Park Manager, Ramon de Leon, to Present Next CIEE Public Lecture

The CIEE Research Station Bonaire will present their next public lecture this Wednesday evening, January 25th, 2012, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Bonaire’s own Ramon de Leon, manager of the Bonaire National Marine Park, will be presenting the lecture.

The topic will be an update on the “Status and Trends of Bonaire’s Coral Reefs 2011:  Cause for Grave Concerns.” The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period to address any queries from the public. 

The research station is located at Kaya Gobernador Debrot #26 in Kralendijk.  Entry is free, and all are invited.  (Source:  CIEE and Bonaire National Marine Park)

Monday, November 28, 2011

CIEE Announces Next Public Presentation

The CIEE Research Station Bonaire is pleased to invite everyone on Bonaire to their next public presentation, which will take place this Wednesday, November 30, 2011 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  The topic will be, “Rehabilitation of Deteriorated Mangroves, from Hydrological Characteristics to Management Tools.”

The presenter will be Roel Dijksma from the Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management Group of Wageningen University.  He has chosen this subject as mangroves are unique ecosystems. In many locations the mangroves have been destroyed or are in very poor condition, due to natural threats such as storms and tsunamis, but also due to human influences. Many rehabilitation projects in the past have failed to achieve the objectives due to poor knowledge of the hydrology of mangroves. In 1928, Watson developed a hydrological classification for mangroves in the Philippines. This classification is still used by rehabilitation projects. Over the last ten years, Wageningen University has done research at mangroves in Vietnam and Indonesia to improve this hydrological classification. In the presentation the hydrological features of mangroves will be shown, the development of the classification, and what this would imply for the mangrove of Lac Bay at Bonaire.

Entry is free and all are invited.  CIEE is located at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #26. (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

CIEE Presents Their Fall Semester Students’ Presentations Tonight, November 23, 2011

Everyone is invited to attend CIEE’s public lecture this evening at from 7:00 PM through 9:00 PM at their lecture hall on Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #26, when their students of the fall semester will present the results of their research studies.

The following topics will be discussed:

1) “Potential for transmission of coral yellow band disease between colonies of Montastrea annularis through common research techniques"--by Dana Hergert, Oregon State University

2) “Effects of a small harbor on nutrient levels and coral reef health in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean"--by Kendall Miller, University of Virginia

3) “Fish density, species richness and diversity in natural and artificial Acropora cervicornis"--by Stephen Nelson, Oregon State University

4) “Effects of hole size in artificial reefs on coral reef fish communities"--by Tessa Code, Santa Clara University

5) “Use of trophic structure as an indicator of reef fish populations in areas open and closed to fishing"--by Ben VanDine, Cedarville University

6) “Sponge abundance and the prevalence of disease on Scleractinian coral in Bonaire"--by Luke Powell, Arizona State University

7) “Assessing coral disease prevalence and fish species richness among reefs on Bonaire"--by Ian Ster, Mount Mercy University

8) “Cephalopholis fulva, Cephalopholis cruentata, and Sphyraena barracuda populations in response to fishing protection"--by Jack Olson, University of Colorado at Boulder

Entrance is free.  (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Friday, November 18, 2011

Dive Friends Bonaire Announces First SDI Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Dive Friends Bonaire is pleased to announce their first SDI Instructor Development Course (IDC) will begin on December 10th and continue through December 16th, 2011. The Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC) conducted by Jeffrey Kempff will follow on 19th and 20th December.

The IDC format will focus upon workshops and interaction. SDI/TDI Instructor Trainer Chris Verstappen will conduct the program in English and Dutch. Concurrent with the IDC course, Dive Friends Bonaire will also offer Specialty Instructor training, crossovers, and an option for a post-IDC internship at the dive facility. The cost of the course is $1,995.00, including all of the following:

- Full IDC
- IEC Prep Course, FREE
- Instructor Online Training
- CPROX1st Aid AED Instructor
- TDI Understanding Nitrox Instructor
- Instructor Manuals
- Instructor Exam
- Instructor Fees

Additional programs are available for the following prices:

- Specialty Instructor, $150.00
- Instructor Crossover (with Online Training), $700.00
- Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC), $450.00

All candidates are also eligible for two days of free unlimited air for shore diving after the IDC. Dive Friends will be including Instructor Online Training as part of this IDC, which allows candidates to save time and travel expenses by taking advantage of home-study methods. They can start the academic portion of the IDC in advance, for completion of the program with Dive Friend’s Instructor Trainer. During the two days between the IDC and the Instructor Examination Course (IEC), Dive Friends Bonaire offers a free Preparation Course. These two days will be used to refresh your knowledge of the theory and practice the skills again.

Together with cooperating accommodation partners, Dive Friends Bonaire can also offer the full IDC + 14 days accommodation for $2,912 (All SDI materials, IEC and SDI fees are included).  All rates are in U.S. Dollars.

Dive Friends Bonaire can assist with on-island arrangements, including special IDC rates for accommodations and/or vehicle rentals. Those interested in participating in the IDC should contact Dive Friends Bonaire directly by email at info@dive-friends-bonaire.com or chris@dive-friends-bonaire.com (Instructor Trainer) for pricing and eligibility requirements and discounted rates for accommodations.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Monday, July 11, 2011

Dive Friends Bonaire Announces Next Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Dive Friends Bonaire is pleased to announce their next Instructor Development Course (IDC) will begin on November 22nd and continue through November 29th, 2011. The Instructor Exam conducted by PADI will follow on December 3rd and 4th.

The IDC format will focus upon workshops and interaction, while utilizing the PADI Guide to Teaching. PADI Course Director Thommy Kurtz will conduct the program in English, but candidates have the option to conduct their presentations in English, Dutch or German.

Concurrent with the IDC course, Dive Friends Bonaire will also offer Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor, Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Staff Instructor and an option for a post-IDC internship at the dive facility. Costs for these courses are:

-- IE Prep Course, FREE
-- Full IDC (no E-Learning), $1,200.00
-- E-Learning IDC, $1,080.00
-- Emergency First Response Instructor, $270.00
-- Staff Instructor, $650.00
-- Master Scuba Diver Trainer, $650.00 (five specialties)

All candidates are also eligible for two days of free unlimited air for shore diving after the IDC.

Dive Friends will be offering the new E-Learning option for this IDC again, which allows candidates to save time and travel expenses by taking advantage of home-study methods. They can start the IDC on the third day for completion of the program with Dive Friend’s course director. E-Learning is easy; all candidates must do is login to PADI’s web site at www.padi.com and click on E-Learning. Enter the dive center’s number, and follow the instructions provided. PADI’s cost for E-Learning is $320.00 per candidate.

During the two days between the IDC and the IE, Dive Friends Bonaire offers a free IE Preparation Course. These two days will be used to refresh knowledge of theory and skills.

Together with their accommodation partners, Dive Friends Bonaire can also offer the Full IDC + 14 days accommodation for $2,117.00 (materials and PADI fees not included).

All rates are in U.S. Dollars; books and PADI’s fees are additional.

Dive Friends Bonaire can assist with on-island arrangements, including accommodations and/or vehicle rentals. Those interested in participating in the IDC may visit http://www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/idc.html for additional information.  Dive Friends Bonaire is one of Bonaire’s premier diving facilities offering full diving and snorkeling services while still providing personal attention. Three retail stores are available in Kralendijk, in addition to four diving facilities. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Saturday, June 25, 2011

CIEE Announces Next Public Lecture On June 27, 2011

"Jellyfish Are Everywhere” is the title of this Monday’s CIEE lecture. Dr. Allen Collins from the Smithsonian Institute and Dr. Angel Yanagihara from the University of Hawaii, both considered top jellyfish experts in the world, will discuss why jellies have “gone wild” worldwide. 

Dr. Collins will discuss dangerous box jelly taxonomy, morphology, genetics and biodiversity. Dr. Yanagihara is an expert in the area of box jelly toxicology and envenomation, which is the process by which venom is injected by a bite or sting. She recently appeared on both the National Geographic Channel and the Discovery Channel.

The scientists are both on Bonaire as part of the 7th Annual Jellyfish Jamboree to continue research on the swarming cubozoan Alatina, as well as study Tamoya ohboya, the newly named species, known also as the Bonaire Banded Box Jelly.

The lecture will be held at the CIEE Research Station at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #26 starting at 7:00 PM and all are invited to attend. (Source: CIEE Bonaire)

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Open House to Be Held At Washington Park on May 29, 2011

STINAPA Bonaire has announced an open house dedicated to George “Kultura” Thode on Sunday May 29, with a day of activities, education, shopping and music. It’s a wonderful way for visitors and locals alike to participate in guided park activities, learn about the nature and history of Bonaire and have fun. 

Attendees may choose from several guided soft adventure activities, all starting at 8:30 AM. Those who enjoy hiking have the option of following the Lagadishi Walking Trail which takes approximately two hours, or the Kasikunda Climbing Trail, which takes approximately one hour. Those looking for a bigger challenge may join the climb up Brandaris, which takes approximately two hours. For those who prefer biking, there will be two options to cycle the park, either 15 kilometers or the longer 34 kilometer route.

The education and fun program includes handcraft for children, face painting and information on bats and conch in air-conditioned comfort. The museum will also be open from 8 AM until 5 PM.

Marshe di Rincon, which is the local market, will be held at the entrance of Washington Park with stands offering different kinds of local food, barbeque, snacks and sweets along with local products and local art. Live music will be provided by local bands including Tutti Frutti and Grupo Eso. Entrance and activities are free and all are invited to attend. (Source: STINAPA Bonaire)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Dive Friends Bonaire Announces Next Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Dive Friends Bonaire is pleased to announce their next Instructor Development Course (IDC) will begin on May 5th and continue through May 13th, 2011. The Instructor Exam conducted by PADI will immediately follow on May 14th and 15th.

Dive Friends will be once again offering the new E-Learning option for this IDC, which allows candidates to save time and travel expenses by taking advantage of home-study methods. E-learners can start the IDC on the third day for completion of the program with Dive Friend’s course director. E-Learning is easy; just visit www.padi.com to get started. PADI’s cost for E-Learning is $320.00 per candidate. 

In order to ensure that all candidates are prepared in all ways, Dive Friends Bonaire is offering a free, two-day IDC Preparation Course. These two days will be used to refresh the candidates’ theoretical knowledge and improve their in-water skills.

Concurrent with the IDC course, Dive Friends Bonaire will also offer Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor, Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Staff Instructor, and an option for Staff Instructor with an internship at the dive facility. Costs for these courses are: 

• IDC Prep Course, FREE
• Full IDC (no E-Learning), $1,200
• E-Learning IDC, $1,079.00
• Emergency First Response Instructor, $270.00
• Staff Instructor, $647.00
• Master Scuba Diver Trainer, $647.00 (five specialties)

* All rates are in U.S. Dollars; books and PADI fees are additional.

All candidates are also eligible for two days of free unlimited air for shore diving after the IDC.

Together with their accommodation partners, Dive Friends Bonaire also can offer the full IDC plus ten days of accommodation for $1,765, or the full IDC plus twelve days of accommodation for $1,878 (materials and PADI fees excluded).

Dive Friends Bonaire can assist with on-island arrangements, including special IDC rates for other accommodations and/or vehicle rentals. Those interested in participating in the IDC may visit www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/idc.html for additional information, or contact Dive Friends Bonaire directly by email at info@dive-friends-bonaire.com.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Thursday, April 01, 2010

CIEE Bonaire Announces Next Public Presentation

Many times, visiting divers and snorkelers come upon sea turtles in the waters surrounding Bonaire.  Many do not realize that Bonaire has an active sea turtle conservation club.  Bruce Brabec, president of STCB (Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire) will be giving a presentation about Bonaire’s sea turtles at CIEE Bonaire on Thursday, April 8th, 2010.

The talk will begin at 7:00 PM promptly, and it will be held at CIEE’s Research Station located on Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #26.  Everyone is invited and entry is free.  (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)