Teaching Ocean Conservation to the next generation...

[Reeferon]

Youth mentoring is a topic that I think about often and consider how I can involve my love for corals and aquariums together with it. I've worked for years in the human services industry I have seen a need for many young people to have positive adult mentors in their lives.

I came across this article that shows a partnership between the Boyscouts and the MOTE marine laboratory. Boy scout groups are assisting the MOTE laboratory in planting coral fragments in the ocean with hopes of repopulating once abundant coral populations in South Florida.
https://mote.org/news/article/mote-BSA-embark-marine-stem-project-for-coral-research

I often think about all the excellent lessons that marine aquariums have taught me: biology, chemistry, physics, carpentry, electrical work, patience, research, budgeting, using resources wisely, among other things. I would love to see more coral aquaculture facilities in existence that provide education and mentoring to some of the kids that need it most. (I'm thinking kids from high poverty neighborhoods, court involved families, etc.) . I've learned many lessons from the hobby and I would love to see it do the same for other kids.

Does anyone know of any programs that function under this model? If not, what are the reasons that you think may be keeping programs like these from existing? ...and how do you think those barriers can be surpassed?

 

[cancun]

Youth mentoring is a topic that I think about often and consider how I can involve my love for corals and aquariums together with it. I've worked for years in the human services industry I have seen a need for many young people to have positive adult mentors in their lives.

I came across this article that shows a partnership between the Boyscouts and the MOTE marine laboratory. Boy scout groups are assisting the MOTE laboratory in planting coral fragments in the ocean with hopes of repopulating once abundant coral populations in South Florida.
https://mote.org/news/article/mote-BSA-embark-marine-stem-project-for-coral-research

I often think about all the excellent lessons that marine aquariums have taught me: biology, chemistry, physics, carpentry, electrical work, patience, research, budgeting, using resources wisely, among other things. I would love to see more coral aquaculture facilities in existence that provide education and mentoring to some of the kids that need it most. (I'm thinking kids from high poverty neighborhoods, court involved families, etc.) . I've learned many lessons from the hobby and I would love to see it do the same for other kids.

Does anyone know of any programs that function under this model? If not, what are the reasons that you think may be keeping programs like these from existing? ...and how do you think those barriers can be surpassed?

Excellent topic! I also believe it would be great to teach the younger generation about the ocean. My dad took me to Akamul (south of Cancun) Mexico in 1986 when I was 11yrs old. I spent the whole time snorkeling, I was too young to dive at the time. My love for the ocean started right then! I will think about your questions....they are important.

One thing I would tell any parent....if you have the means take your kids to the ocean...teach them about how important ocean conservation truly is.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

I just hope the "kids" are taught the facts and not simply indoctrinated by ideologically driven people.

For example; your link states “Mote scientists are also working to identify a variety of genetic strains of corals that are more resilient and resistant to disease, warming ocean temperatures and ocean acidification — important traits for restoration success.”

The worst bleaching event in Florida, by far, was in fact caused by a cold water event –

"Severe 2010 Cold-Water Event Caused Unprecedented Mortality to Corals of the Florida Reef Tract and Reversed Previous Survivorship Patterns
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0023047

In January 2010, coral reefs of Florida, United States, were impacted by an extreme cold-water anomaly that exposed corals to temperatures well below their reported thresholds (16°C), causing rapid coral mortality unprecedented in spatial extent and severity.

The impacts recorded were catastrophic and exceeded those of any previous disturbances in the region.
The mean percent coral mortality recorded for all species and subregions was 11.5% in the 2010 winter, compared to 0.5% recorded in the previous five summers, including years like 2005 where warm-water bleaching was prevalent. "

I hope thay make the "kids" well aware of this!

 

[ca1ore]

For example; your link states “Mote scientists are also working to identify a variety of genetic strains of corals that are more resilient and resistant to disease, warming ocean temperatures and ocean acidification — important traits for restoration success.” The worst bleaching event in Florida, by far, was in fact caused by a cold water event

Sure, but the two aren't mutually exclusive. Most climate scientists maintain that weather extremes, both hot and cold, will result from climate change. Not suggesting that the 2010 event had anything to do with climate change, maybe it did maybe it didn't; just that weather extremes are increasingly common. Buddy of mine routinely texts me to say some variation of 'it's colder than normal today on my back porch ... what global warming'. He does it to irritate me I'm sure, because he's not that dense.

 

[ca1ore]

I came across this article that shows a partnership between the Boyscouts and the MOTE marine laboratory.

Nice! Taking my boys down the BSA SeaBase in June to do some diving and let them learn about reef conservation.

 

[Reeferon]

@ca1ore - That sounds like a great trip.

There are a lot of existing programs that work to introduce children, esp. minority children, to hydroponics. These programs serve to expose underrepresented populations in STEM careers to the careers through hands on learning. There is a lot of NSF grant money for programs that seek to expose children to STEM careers. Unfortunately I think that the more permanent and high cost nature of coral aquaculture are factors that would keep these programs from coming into existence. (It's a lot more involved that a simple hydroponics set up)
However, I'm sure that there is a way to do it. Possibly through partnerships between schools, non-profit agencies, and for-profit coral aquaculture facilities.

 

[cancun]

Nice! Taking my boys down the BSA SeaBase in June to do some diving and let them learn about reef conservation.

Wow....good for you!!!!! Does sound like a great trip!!!! Best thing my dad ever did was take me the ocean as a kid! [emoji16]

 

[ca1ore]

Can anyone guess what their first question was?

 

[cancun]

Can anyone guess what their first question was?

LOL.....I can't even guess.....please tell us!!!! [emoji16]

 

[ca1ore]

Dad, will there be wifi? Oy ......

 

[Dburr1014]

They are doing wonderful things for our community and hobby. Every year we have our frag fest there and it's getting bigger and bigger. It's great to meet the students.
eosmithcoralproject.org

 

[cancun]

Dad, will there be wifi? Oy ......

LOL!!! Wow....sign of the times! He he! We didn't have that back in the day! [emoji16]