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Changing Oceans, Changing Lives
Youth programs strive to develop the next generation
of marine stewards.
B y S a n d y S o n d r o l
L
earning about oceans and learning about others.
Not a bad way for students to spend their time.
Fortunately, more and more students are getting
exactly that opportunity through a growing
number of programs targeted toward educating children
about the marine environment and its importance.
Two of these programs, the annual Youth Education Summit,
sponsored by the National Association of Black Scuba Divers
(NABS), and Ocean for Life, held at the University of California
at Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands National Marine
Sanctuary, brought together high school students from the
United States and other parts of the world to learn both the
importance of learning about our oceans and each other.
Te Youth Education Summit is the brainchild of Kenneth
Stewart, chairman of the NABS youth committee. “We believe
it is important for the program to emphasize marine sciences
to enhance knowledge and respect for marine life,” said
Stewart. “But in a larger sense, we strive to build character.”
Te summit’s concept is “to bring together youth with
an interest in the marine sciences, providing them with
educational experiences that enhance their knowledge of
and respect for marine life, while promoting safe and skilled
exploration of the seas through scuba diving.”
Te participants spend the majority of their time learning
and performing hands-on marine science activities. During
their time together, they also perform a community service
project and participate in culturally broadening experiences.
A day of scuba diving or snorkeling further enhances the
participants’ focus on marine sciences. Summit locations
vary, though each tries to host the event in proximity to a
marine sanctuary. Te 2011 summit was held at Savannah
State University in Georgia near the Gray’s Reef National
Marine Sanctuary, and next year’s event will take place in
Houston, Texas.
Ocean for Life: One World, One Ocean is a program
designed to gather young people from around the world to
“enhance cultural understanding through ocean science.”
Tis year’s 12-day program brought together students from
the U.S. and Middle East to learn about climate change,
ocean acidifcation, blue whale ship strikes, global shipping,
the Chumash native peoples, kelp forest ecosystems and
the marine life of the Santa Barbara Channel. During it all,
participants were also introduced to and gained an appreciation
for the diverse cultures represented in the program.
Tey learned
to document it as
well. Troughout
the Ocean for
Life experience,
National Geographic
photographers
taught participants
how to use photography, video and narratives to share what
they learned and promote ocean conservation and cultural
understanding among their classmates, friends, families and
communities.
Both the NABS Youth Education Summit and Ocean for
Life programs ofer either full tuition or partial scholarships
to aid qualifed participants in need of fnancial support.
Both programs also enjoy key partnerships with
organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) Ofce of National Marine
Sanctuaries. By supplying experienced, knowledgeable
staf and facilities within or adjacent to national marine
sanctuaries, NOAA strives to advance their mission and to
support the future of oceans and those who will study them.
“Whether they live in America’s central cities and suburbs
or countries in the Middle East, the next generation of
leaders will determine how we solve the threats facing the
ocean,” said Daniel J. Basta, director of NOAA’s Ofce of
National Marine Sanctuaries. “Te NABS Youth Education
Summit and Ocean for Life initiatives represent our
commitment to help today’s young people be more informed
about ocean and environmental issues, and show them how
they can work together to jointly navigate a changing world.”
Our World-Underwater
Scholarship Society
www.owuscholarship.org
Scubanauts International
www.scubanautsintl.org
Tennessee Aquatic Project
www.tennesseeaquaticproject.org
These are only two of many programs that can educate and
empower kids to become stewards of the marine
environment. Other programs include:
For more information or
to apply for 2012 programs:
NABS Annual Youth
Education Summit
www.nabsdivers.org
youthcomm@nabsdivers.org
Ocean for Life
www.oceanforlife.org
sanctuary.education@noaa.gov
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