Newsroom
UMHosts “Ocean Kids Day” To Teach Conservation and Appreciation of the Ocean To Local D
November 12, 2009
WHAT: F.I.N.SEA Foundation, the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (UM-RSMAS) and the Marine and Atmospheric Science Honor Society Rho Rho Rho will be hosting the second annual Ocean Kids event, bringing 100 elementary school children from low performing, high-needs elementary schools for a day of marine science adventures, to learn about conservation and the ocean. The event is by invitation only. Media is invited.
WHO: Children from Dunbar, Holmes, Miami Gardens, and Earlington Heights Elementary Schools; City Commissioner of Miami Beach, Jerry Libbin; Coral Gables Mayor, Don Slesnick; Superintendant of Miami-Dade Public Schools, Alberto M. Carvalho; Director and Co-founder of F.I.N.SEA Foundation, Jill Richardson Ph.D.; Coordinator of the Marine and Atmospheric Science Program at University of Miami, Dan DiResta Ph.D.; Chair of Ocean Kids, Kaitlin Birghenthal and host of the upcoming children’s television show, “The Big Blue and You, ” Danielle Washington
HOW: The children will rotate between 15 stations to participate in various conservation and ocean related activities, including a microscope station where the children will observe plankton samples and larval fish; and a touch tank station, where the children will handle sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and many other sea creatures.
WHEN: Saturday, November 14, 2009, 9 am – 2 pm.
- 9 – 9:30 am Arrival and Check-In
- 9:30 – 9:45 am Greeting by Danielle Washington
- 9:45 am – 12:30 pm Station Rotations
- 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch and Acknowledgement Ceremony
- 1:30 – 2 pm Dance and Departure
WHERE: The event will take place on “The Green” in front of the Otto G. Richter Library, 1300 Memorial Drive, UM Coral Gables campus. Free Parking in Osceola lot off Merrick Drive. Volunteers will direct you to event from there.
WHY: This event is organized by F.I.N.SEA Foundation, the UM-RSMAS Undergraduate Marine Science Department, Rho Rho Rho Honor Society, and the Marine Mammal Stranding Team to both educate and inspire children about the ocean, and to generate environmental awareness and stewardship in the community. The event hopes to foster confidence and pride, and ultimately empower children to become leaders in their communities and effect positive change in the natural world.
For more information on F.I.N.SEA and how to donate to future outreach programs, log on to: www.finsea.org
Media Contacts:
Public Relations Chair, Ocean Kids E-Board
Matthew Phillips
mtthw46irish@gmail.com
(301) 633-6296
UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Barbra Gonzalez
barbgo@rsmas.miami.edu
305-984-7107
UM Media Relations Officer
Marie Guma-Diaz
m.gumadiaz@umiami.edu
305-284-1601
