Hawaii's students will soon be exposed to a brand new learning experience from the Discovery Channel education network.
The introduction to the series was made today at Pauoa Elementary School by the member of a famous family.
Philippe Cousteau, grandson of the legendary Jacques Cousteau gave the youngsters just enough video to get their attention - but he told us, that's the point.
"Well, the goal is to bring some of highest, most exciting, and interesting multi-media content into the classroom. Kids aren't learning out of books outside the classroom any more. They're learning with new technology, the internet, television and things like that," said Philippe.
Cousteau credited the state Department of Education with having the vision to include Discovery's program in the curriculum. There will be age-appropriate presentations for students K-8 all across the state.
"Kids are so engaged and so excited about nature and animals and the environment and so, to be able to use those tools in a fun, exciting way in the classroom to get them excited about learning - I've seen it, it works all over the country and we're bringing it here to Hawaii in a big way."
Cousteau has stayed in the family business, if you will. He has traveled around the world, exploring and doing programs for the Discovery Channel with a special emphasis on the ocean and its creatures. He said teaching the younger generation about the environment is a relatively easy task.
"They understand that the environment is important to our health, our economy. In the long run, you can't have a healthy economy without a healthy environment. And I think this is a generation that's poised to make a positive difference in the world."
In many cases, according to Cousteau, there could be some interesting dinner table conversations, once the Discovery Education series hits the classrooms.
"There might be a lot of parents out there that are like, oh my goodness, now my kid's going to be coming home and nagging me about plastic bags and water and things like that, but that's a good thing. Kids have a lot of power."
