Extension Specialist Kelley Tagarino from the Center for Sustainable Integrated Agriculture and Aquaculture led this spring’s annual QUEST Program at the Soliai Guesthouse. Three students enrolled in the Marine Science Special Projects course (MSC280) at American Samoa Community College participated in the week-long program, which was open to students of all majors and offered the opportunity to earn up to two academic credits.

One of the program’s sessions focused on understanding statistics and was led by Eric Brown, with support from Tagarino and Jeff Kuwabara, Marine Option Program Coordinator from the University of Hawaiʻi. The session provided participants with practical instruction in statistical concepts and their application to scientific research.

Modeled after the highly successful Marine Option Program, QUEST provided hands-on learning experiences that helped participants develop valuable skills in data management, statistics, and research methods. These skills supported scientific inquiry, environmental stewardship, and informed decision-making.

In addition to ASCC students, the program welcomed community members interested in building research and analytical skills. Over the years, QUEST had also hosted staff from several local agencies throughout American Samoa, helping to strengthen collaboration, professional development, and community capacity-building efforts across the territory.