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This year’s Ocean Kids sped by, leaving 200 elementary school students with inspired looks upon their faces, along with surprise filled goody bags on their arms.
Kids peer intently into microscopes at the "Marine World Magnified" station, uncovering facts about the Dominican Republic. Photo by Monica Herndon.
The three speakers at the event: University of Miami‘s President, Dr. Donna E. Shalala, RSMAS‘s very own Dean Ronni Avissar, and Daniell Washington, the founder of the Big Blue and You Foundation, encouraged the young explorers to continue their studies so that maybe one day they could be in the volunteers’ positions. In addition, the station rotation ran smoothly, considering the students could not wait to see what came next on their journey. It was evident that much was learned that Saturday, after hearing the kids answers to the Ocean Kids trivia. As always, the fun continued into the final dance party, where newly formed friendships between station educators and children could be seen on the dance floor. Overall, this year’s event was a success, thanks to all supporters and those involved.
-Melanie Jackson
Follow Ocean Kids on Twitter: @OceanKidsFINsea
200 elementary school students will be given a “passport” at the University of Miami green this Saturday, November 19th, in order to begin their expedition through 15 marine science themed stations. Before they begin their journey, the University of Miami’s President, Dr. Donna E. Shalala, will kick off the event at the opening ceremony. Afterwards, Dr. Roni Avissar, Dean of the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science will give some inspirational words to the young explorers, along with the speaker Danni Washington, a Rosentstiel School alumnus and founder of The Big Blue & You Foundation. In order to get these kids ready for an experience including adventure and learning, Washington will start with some stretches to get them excited and energy levels high.
Once all of the kids are wound up, a rotation begins where every child visits each marine science themed station for approximately 10 minutes which also includes a Caribbean or Latin American country incorporated into the learning materials. One of the favorite stations at the annual event is the squid dissection, where kids use their hands (of course, with gloves on) and delve into the squid’s anatomy with help from station educators. Some other special stations include: “The Hunted Hunters”-Shark Conservation in Cuba, “Marine Mammal Rescue”-Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation in Venezuela, and “Category 5”-Hurricane Preparedness and Awareness in Belize. After every station visit, the kids are given a flag sticker to stamp onto their “passport.” These kids will leave the event with a passion for environmental awareness, along with a sense of accomplishment. So that they aren’t too revved up on their trip home, we make sure to end the event with the annual dance competition and some ocean and conservation trivia to remind the kids about everything they learned.
Ocean Kids is free of charge for the invited elementary schools but is not open to the public or to additional elementary schools. To learn more about F.I.N.SEA Foundation, Ocean Kids, or how to get involved in future events, please visit the website.
- Melanie Jackson
Follow Ocean Kids on Twitter: @OceanKidsFINsea