From Seeds to Sowers — SEEQS Alumni
Shun Mizuno
My name is Shun Mizuno, and I was in the first graduating class of SEEQS in 2015. I attended Kaiser High school where I was part of the IB (International Baccalaureate) program, then completed a Bachelor’s in Marine Biology at UH Mānoa. My thesis project was looking at seamounts, which are underwater mountains, in the Pacific Ocean near Japan. I was tasked to observe and identify the organisms from 1300 meters, 1500 meters, and 5000 meters deep. The data gathered was later analyzed to learn data management, data interpretation, and how to pull key data points. Currently I am trying to get into graduate school for either University of Hawaii or Wisconsin.
What are one or two experiences from your time at SEEQS that inspired a new passion or helped you further develop your interests?
The personal projects and presentations at SEEQS really put me in the right direction for science and advanced my public speaking skills. It’s been a while so I have some issues with remembering, but I distinctly remember collaborations with my fellow peers. Once you get into higher education such as highschool and college, these skills emphasized in SEEQS become extremely important. Almost every job also looks for communication and collaboration skills, so the skill is useful throughout life.
What was your favorite memory from an EQS class at SEEQS?
“What do we eat, and why?”
We are what we eat is what people say, and this is very true. If you continue to eat heavily processed foods that are stripped of their nutrients, your body will begin to build your growing body out of these. Stunt growth, abnormal muscle formations, and damaged cells are but a few of the effects. I specifically remember watching a video where all of us watched how some animals are being raised and processed. I still eat meat after watching the video, but I make sure I know where the meat is coming from. All animals are to be treated with respect, and as someone that consumes meat, I believe I need to be especially respectful.
“What is the value of plastic?”
I remember we built a plastic drum, a pretty high quality one at that. I also remember making some kind of arcade game but this was out of cardboard. Plastic is a difficult topic as they are extremely useful, but very harmful at the same time. Micro plastics in the environment being consumed and a part of our lives is inevitable at this point. Some organisms capable of breaking down and consuming plastic are being studied as of now which I am looking forward to its development.
How did SEEQS change or deepen your understanding of sustainability and its What sustainability skill is the most meaningful to your life since SEEQS? To your current activities?
Sustainability skills of Communicating Powerfully, Reasoning Analytically, Thinking Systematically, and Collaborating Productively came in very handy when teaching younger kids in Japan. I needed to do a 2 hour presentation about Deep Sea Biology while at the same time teaching English to kids ages ranging from 5 to 10 years old. I wanted to make a presentation that taught the basics of the ocean, and also focus on the aspect of sustaining the ocean. This was a difficult task for a multitude of reasons but following the skills allowed for almost perfect execution.
Thinking Systematically: What are the key points to hit in 2 hours? How do I keep younger kids engaged? How do I present something all ages can appreciate? What did I enjoy during long events such as this when I was younger? How can I get to know my audience better? What are 3 simple messages I want kids to take away?
Reasoning Analytically: Understand what works and what doesn’t work from observing classes, ask professionals for advice, and do research based on the result you want to achieve. Even after everything is finished, look back and identify what can be improved.
Collaborating Productively: Understand what your own strengths are and what other’s strengths are through proper communication. It is also important to identify what type of job is “universal” (cutting paper, coloring, buying things, etc.) I learned that the key to success and efficiency is having as few of these universal tasks as possible on your plate. This is because universal tasks can be finished with teamwork at any time once your unique task is finished. I gathered some friends to do the universal task with a promise of getting them all dinner.
Communicating Powerfully: Speak with confidence, Genuinity, and with a purpose. I used to make the mistake of reading off scripts as I felt safer and less responsible for my words. Centering my purpose and beliefs really helped me let go of the script when it was hurting me more than helping me.
How did SEEQS change or deepen your understanding of sustainability and its importance to our community and world?
If I remember correctly, we were constantly talking about what we learned in class as a friend group. Statements such as “killing the turtles” when we see a peer waste something would be just lighthearted banter at times, but it reinforced our understanding of the impact we may make on the environment. From these daily interactions I and many others I am sure, take this topic seriously to heart and make sure that we are being respectful to the home we call earth. I believe constantly being side by side with larger topics means they are more likely to stick with you. If we are reminded daily and even further incorporate them daily (such as clean up activities and memorable slogans), I think it is more likely to stick for the rest of our lives. At least I think it did for me. I believe all school levels had an overarching lesson or goal for me. Kindergarten was where I learned how to speak English, elementary school was where I learned to write Japanese as well as interact with people, and SEEQS is where I learned my passion for sustainability and the environment. After SEEQS, High School is where I strengthened my connections with people, and college was a culmination of every skill and experience, an entrance into the real world.
I want to say that SEEQS was the base for passion.
Brag about yourself. What is one achievement (or multiple) you've accomplished since SEEQS that you are proud of, big or small?
KUPU summer program
Graduated Kaiser High School in the IB program
Worked with National Geographic’s deep sea camera.
Graduated with a Marine Biology Degree from UH
Made a 2 hour course to teach English and Marine Bio to kids in Japan
What do you wish more people knew about what it means to be a steward of planet Earth and a healthy, effective citizen of the world?
Do your part and just be mindful of what you input and output. A single person is unlikely to make a difference to the rate of climate change or the amount of total waste being outputted every year. But that doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want just for the sake of being lazy. Ignorance is not inherently bad but actively turning a blind eye when we are fully aware could be the cause of true downfall.