FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UM Hosts “Ocean Kids Day” To Teach
Conservation & Appreciation of The Ocean
To Local Disadvantaged Children

Photo Credit: 2005 UM underwater Photo Contest - Wayne MacWilliams, Miami, Fla.

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 first, 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.

WHO:

Children from Dunbar and Holmes Elementary Schools, Jill Richardson, Ph.D., director and co-founder of F.I.N.SEA Foundation, Alycia Rajendran and Kait Birghenthal, UM president and secretary of Rho Rho Rho Honor Society.

The children will rotate between 10 stations to participate in various conservation and ocean related activities, including a microscope station where they will observe plankton samples and larval fish; and a touch tank station, where the children will handle sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and other marine creatures.

WHEN:

Saturday, November 22, 2008, 9 am — 4:30 pm.

• 9 — 12 noon Dunbar Elementary
• 12 — 1 pm Volunteer Lunch Break
• 1—1:30 pm Acknowledgment Ceremony
• 1:30 — 4:30 pm Holmes Elementary

WHERE:

The event is located on “The Green” in front of the Richter Library, 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables campus. Free Parking in Osceola lot off Merrick Drive. Volunteer will direct you to event from there.

WHY:

This event is organized by the UM-RSMAS Undergraduate Marine Science Department, F.I.N. SEA Foundation and Rho Rho Rho Honor Society 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, log on to: www.finsea.org

Media Contacts:
UM Media Relations Officer
Marie Guma-Diaz
m.gumadiaz@umiami.edu
305-284-1601

Matthew Phillips
Public Relations Chair, Ocean Kids E-Board 2008
mtthw46irish@gmail.com 
301-633-6296