NOAA’s Gray’s Reef to Host Youth Educational Summit


NOAA’s Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, headquartered in Savannah, Ga., will host 40 students from across the nation this month during the National Association of Black Scuba Divers’ (NABS) Youth Educational Summit.

The program’s goal is to develop young leaders through marine science.

“Our goal is to provide these young people an interesting and thought-provoking week of activities that will enhance their marine knowledge while reaching underserved and underrepresented communities,” said Cathy Sakas, the sanctuary’s education coordinator.

The 2009 program will take place June 21-27. The students, ages 9-18, will be housed at Savannah State University.

The schedule of activities includes: Meetings with NOAA scientists marsh walk with marine science students at Savannah State University tour of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, community service work with the University of Georgia Shellfish Research Laboratory. education program, an offshore dive an introduction to building remotely operated vehicles, and a pontoon boat cruise through the Bull River estuary

“The focus of the summit is to raise awareness and educate youth about the need for environmental responsibility, specifically the protection of our waterways and marine life,” said Kenneth Stewart, NABS committee chairman.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

Visit: www.noaa.gov.


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