Location:University of Miami, Coral Gables
Dates:November 22nd, 2008 and November 14th, 2009
Time:9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
F.I.N.SEA Foundation teamed up with the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (University of Miami) and various undergraduate student organizations (e.g. Rho Rho Rho and the Marine Mammal Stranding Team) to host the first, annual “Ocean Kids” event for underprivileged, minority children of South Florida in 2008. This event brought 100 elementary school students from local, high-needs education districts to the University of Miami campus for a day of fun, learning, and adventure. On November 14th 2009, we doubled our efforts by hosting 200 children from 4, high-needs Miami schools. Our mission was two-fold. We embraced the at-risk children of Miami and utilized the marine science and conservation arenas to inspire curiosity, excitement about learning, and confidence. Secondly, we generated environmental awareness and stewardship in communities that go largely ignored.
Both events drew the attention of the local media,( click here for pdf files:Link#1, Link#2, Link#3, Link#4) and garnered the support of community leaders, such as Don Slesnick (Mayor of Coral Gables), Dr. Essi S. Pace (Regional Superintendent, Miami-Dade Public Schools), Jerry Libbin (Miami Beach Commissioner), Daniel Washington (UM Alumni and Founder of The Big Blue and You Foundation), and Gabriel Walton (President of the UM Chapter of Kids and United Black Students). The 3rd grade students from Paul L. Dunbar, Holmes, Earlington Heights, and Miami Gardens Elementary Schools participated in a series of hands-on marine science and conservation stations. All of the stations were hosted by dedicated University of Miami undergraduates, under the mentorship of Dr. Jill Richardson (F.I.N.SEA Foundation Co-Founder), with themes such as “Touchable Tidals”, “Underwater Adventures” , “The Marine World Magnified”, “Electrifying Elasmobranchs”, and a “Race for Recycling”.
As part of our involvement in the 2010 Clinton Global Initiative University, Ocean Kids is expanding nationally and internationally. Stay tuned for more info on dates, locations, and ways you can get involved!
Donations from supporting businesses and organizations are invaluable to the success of Ocean Kids events. All sponsorships and in-kind donations are tax-deductible, and publicity for your business will be generated via Ocean Kids media coverage and event-related posters, banners, websites, and t-shirts. We cannot do this without the help and generosity of hundreds of individuals and business owners, and we are eternally grateful for your support!
Location:Dolphins Plus, Key Largo
Dates:May 24th, 2008 and May 30th, 2009
Minimum Age:3rd Grade
This event brought the ocean to the students of South Florida, and thus, created perspective and vision for conservation and individual fulfillment. Dolphin Exploration Lab brought joy and inspiration to students who would otherwise never have the opportunity to experience the compelling world of marine science. Title I children from Odyssey Middle School and S.O.S. Children’s Village joined scientist and F.I.N.SEA Foundation Co-Founder, Dr. Jill Richardson, at Dolphin Plus in Key Largo for the day. They participated in an interactive dolphin swim program, (complete with handshakes, belly rubs, kisses, and dorsal tows!), marine science and conservation classes, hands-on learning activities (e.g. marine mammal care lab, fish preparation, and touch tank tour), an art project, games, and a BBQ lunch. At the end of the day, students were presented with certificates of participation and a photo to commemorate their F.I.N.SEA Foundation/Dolphins Plus experience. The smiles went on for miles! Each student left with a deeper appreciation for the marine environment and the organisms it supports, as well as a better understanding of how each person can contribute to the conservation of our planet and marine environments.
Location: Santa Monica Beach
Dates: March 28, 2009
Minimum Age: 3rd Grade
F.I.N.SEA Foundation encourages and supports young students’ interest to get involved in their community by looking for ways to improve the health of their local environment. This past Spring, 6th grade students from Paul Revere Middle School (Brentwood, CA), completed required community service hours by participating in a F.I.N.SEA Beach Cleanup near Santa Monica Pier. Enthusiasm was evident as they combed the beach, searching for common pollutants such as plastic bags, bottle caps, straws, cigarette butts, and soda cans. The students learned about the effects of pollution on the marine environment and what they can do to help reduce their local impact, while having fun and uniting as a team to fulfill this important mission. F.I.N.SEA Foundation welcomes motivated, passionate and inspiring individuals to reach out to underserved communities and get involved on a grassroots level with the objectives of our organization. Students, teachers, schools, parents, and members of the general Los Angeles community are all encouraged to contact F.I.N.SEA Foundation for these opportunities. It is our commitment to you to make these opportunities available and bridge the gap between science and the local community, so that each individual may realize his or her valuable role in promoting marine science education and environmental conservation.
Location: Santa Monica Beach (in front of Tower 17)
parking available at Santa Monica Pier
or Bay St & Ocean Ave.
Date: Saturday, June 14th, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Minimum Suggested Donation: $7.00
Family Beach Day welcomed all ages for a special day of fun, community and education in the sun with F.I.N.SEA Foundation and Yoga Angels. The day was spent exploring a variety of activities and demonstrations, while learning about the significance of marine conservation, as well as environmental and personal health and well-being. This extraordinary day of education and recreation served to unite the Los Angeles community and raise awareness about the valuable role we all play in the future of our youth and environmental sustainability.
Future Interests in Nature and the Sea (F.I.N.SEA) Foundation will offer hands-on marine science exploration activities for all to enjoy, hosted by Amy Diamond, Co-Founder and Director of F.I.N.SEA Foundation and established marine science educator. Highlights of the day will include ocean food web construction, slimy squid dissections, beach scavenger hunts, environmentally-friendly art projects, kids and family yoga, story-time, face painting, artistic henna tattoos, massage, tasty organic food and beverages, live music and drumming, fun prizes, complimentary gifts, and much, much more!
This event will benefit the charitable efforts of F.I.N.SEA Foundation and Your Kids Organization, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations based in Los Angeles. Any contribution is greatly appreciated and will continue to support programs that educate and inspire underprivileged and at-risk youth communities.
Location: Santa Monica Beach
Date: August 18th, 2008
F.I.N.SEA Foundation and local athletic clothing store Lululemon Athletica joined forces for a day of cleansing our beaches, bodies and souls. This event was open to the Los Angeles community. Our enthusiastic group of “Green Warriors” charged the Santa Monica sand early Saturday morning, biodegradable trash bags in hand, on a mission to beautify the beach during the Scavenger Hunt Clean-Up Challenge! Prizes were awarded for accomplishments such as most trash collected, most unusual item found on the beach, grossest item found, and many others. Organic food & beverages, music, and surprise gifts complimented this special day.
The day’s events culminated in an empowering yoga session led by Santa Monica’s own yogi extraordinaire, Kia Miller, inspiring and allowing each participant time to reflect upon the work they accomplished and the impact they made on our planet’s beaches and oceans. This event provided the forum necessary to observe first-hand the detrimental impacts of coastal pollution and encouraged discussion of the actions each of us can take to promote environmental conservation in both our local and global community.
Upcoming Dates: Spring/Summer 2010
To make donations to the F.I.N.SEA Foundation
For more information or learn how to get involved, please contact: