This lesson will focus on the history of Polynesia. Students will explore the geography of Polynesia, the origins of the Polynesian people, ancient and modern Polynesian culture, and the relationship of Polynesian people with their natural environment (the sea). Focusing on American Samoa, the home of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, students will explore the cultural changes that have taken place through the years. They will consider the importance of Fagatele Bay and study the threats this special ocean area faces. Students will then explore how aspects of Polynesian (and other) culture both threaten and help preserve the natural environment, and develop public action plans, which draw on the aspects of Polynesian culture that they think would benefit the marine environment, to encourage marine conservation.

This lesson is one in a series exploring the history, biology, and ecology of the National Marine Sanctuaries. It was developed for National Geographic's Oceans for Life program, in collaboration with and with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Geography, ecology, social studies, history

Standard 4: "The physical and human characteristics of places"
Standard 6: "How culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions"
Standard 9: "The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human population on Earth's surface"
Standard 14: "How human actions modify the physical environment"

Ocean Literacy: Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts (PDF, Adobe Reader required)

• Principle 5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems
• Principle 6: The ocean and humans are inextricably linked

National Science Education Standards:

• Science in personal and social perspective: Populations, Resources, and Environments
• Science in personal and social perspective: Natural Hazards
• History and nature of science: Science as a Human Endeavor

Two to three hours

• Computer with Internet access
• Xpeditions atlas map of Oceania
• Seating arrangement: whole-class instruction and small-group activities
• Maximum number of students: no limit
• Keywords: Samoa, Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Polynesian culture, marine conservation
• Preparation: preview video clips, print Oceania map, organize poster-making materials

Students will

• explore the geography and history of Polynesia;
• become familiar with ancient and modern Polynesian culture and the relationship of Polynesian people with the sea;
• study American Samoa and Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary; and
• develop a public action plan to protect the marine resources of the area, drawing upon aspects of local Polynesian culture.

Discuss with students the ways in which a region's geography affects the culture of the people living there. (Some examples include "surf culture" in California, farming culture in the Midwest, etc.) Ask students to consider how their own region's geography has affected local culture.

Have students locate the region called "Polynesia" and American Samoa using the Xpeditions Atlas map. Have them identify the major geographical features of this area. Ask students to offer their thoughts on how the geography of the region may have affected Polynesian culture through time (specifically, how the Pacific Ocean might have affected the culture of this region).

Tell students that they will be considering the ways in which Polynesian culture affects the relationship of the Polynesian people with their environment. To begin, ask students to consider some of the ways in which culture, tradition, and history are passed on from one generation to the next. First have students name folktales they can remember, and talk about the kinds of lessons the stories were intended to pass on (i.e., to explain a natural phenomenon, to teach a moral lesson). Then share the Polynesian folktale The Story of Two Brothers with students. The folktale explains how the two large mountain peaks on Tutuila Island of American Samoa came to be. Ask students what they learned from the tale (e.g., how the mountain was formed, quarreling is bad). Does this folktale tell the whole/real story about Mt. Pioa? What aspects of American Samoa's history does this tale illustrate?

Introduce students to Fagatele Bay using the video clip of the National Marine Sanctuary. Then ask students to visit the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary Web site to observe images depicting native Samoan activities and other sanctuary-related activities. Brainstorm a list of possible interactions the inhabitants of this region have with the ocean/coral reef (e.g., fishing, diving, agriculture, transportation). Consider how these interactions could either negatively or positively affect the region's environment. On the board or on chart paper, write down each action and classify its effect as either "negative" or "positive."

Divide students into teams of four or five and have teams explore the following documents, taking notes about the history and culture of Polynesia. Students identify which aspects of the culture threaten or benefit the local environment, and how.

Polynesia Before European Contact
Wayfinders: A Pacific Odyssey—Polynesian History and Origin
Historical and Cultural Resources of American Samoa

When they have finished exploring the Web sites, have groups share their findings and record them on a class chart. Ask students:

• Did the class identify more positive or negative aspects of Polynesian culture, with regard to conservation of the local environment?
• Were they surprised by their findings, and why?
• Do they think the impact of Polynesian culture on the marine environment differs from the impact of American coastal cultures? How and why?
• Specifically, what aspects of Polynesian history and culture lend themselves to instilling a desire in local people to protect the sea?

Visit the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary Web site to explore its purpose, mission, educational activities, and programs. Have students consider the ways in which the sanctuary is helping to preserve the region's environment.

Have students watch the closing of the National Marine Sanctuary video clip. Divide the class into different groups than in the previous activity. Tell teams that they have been called upon by the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary to develop action plans that would help strengthen the sanctuary's preservation efforts, while respecting the local culture. Students can create educational flyers or newspaper articles, draw or paint posters that depict an environmental message, or create a class mural that highlights the coral reef and the variety of marine life that is threatened. The focus should be on drawing on aspects of Polynesian culture to develop the plans. You may want to share the general evaluation criteria (listed below) with students before they begin.

This lesson plan was prepared by the National Geographic Society under award #NA04NOS4290216 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Department of Commerce.

Evaluate students' flyers and posters based on the following:

• Evidence of understanding of Polynesian culture
• Evidence of understanding of the mission and goals of Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Neatness of finished product

• Have students create a public action plan to encourage protection of their local environment. They could create a Web page, poster, brochure, etc. highlighting local areas in need of preservation and drawing upon aspects of local culture to encourage people to protect the environment.
  
• Have students write a folktale that explains the origin of a local geographical feature. The tale should reflect the local culture.
  
• Invite students to compare and contrast the environmental concerns and cultural influences of this region with similar issues in other parts of the world (Great Barrier Reef, for example).

NOAA: Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA: National Marine Sanctuary Program
National Geographic Magazine: Islands of the Pacific
National Geographic: EdNet—Oceans for Life Community
National Geographic: Xpeditions Atlas—Oceania
Polynesia Before European Contact
Polynesian Cultural Center
Polynesian History and Origin