The days following World Water Day, we continued to explore water in all its ways, by exploring the United Nations SDG’s. We even got to meet with self-proclaimed mermaid–scuba diver, author, and global conservationist, Jennifer Nolan. Ms. Nolan has done some amazing conservation work with another activist and conservation colleague, Jim Abernethy, and has connected with Tudor Young Global Citizens 14 times in the past two years! We are so grateful for her knowledge and passion.
Ms. Nolan connected with us from thousands of miles away, over skype, imparting her passion for the fate of the world while teaching us some valuable facts we should know about ocean life.
Even though some facts are hard for us to hear and wrap our head around, she was very adamant that while we can talk about all the problems, like that the rate of extinction is at 100 times faster than the normal rate, it’s important that we look at solutions that we can do, right here at home. It’s also important that we share the knowledge we get, with as many people as possible, and continue discovering ways we can help our planet. Ms. Nolan shared a few key pieces of information for us to know, to help us become passionate about protecting what we love.
*Sharks have been in the ocean for 400 million years
*90% of large predatory sharks have been wiped out, and 250,000 sharks are killed a day.
*80% of sharks are killed for a delicacy called Shark Fin soup, which is not nutritious or flavorful!
*Out of the 400 species of sharks, there are only a handful that are dangerous for humans.
*Shark attacks are moreso shark accidents, as they don’t have the ability to distinguish between food and non-food (they don’t have hands) without using their mouths.
*Divers wear dark colors, which is why sharks aren’t bothered with them.
*Television has done a lot to make people afraid of sharks, when there doesn’t need to be.
“You are not too young to make a difference” was the driving point with Ms. Nolan and we believe it. We shared what we are doing to be good earth citizens and she was impressed. Alaskan students are doing their part.
Lots of global citizens are coming together as well, and we were optimistic in learning that, even though all 7 species of sea turtles are endangered, the New York time recently shared that the sea turtle populations have begun to turn around and their populations are steadily on the rise!
Joaques Cousteau said it best with, “we protect what we love” and it is so true. The more we learn about the ocean, the more we love it and want to protect it. Thank you so much Jennifer Nolan, for supporting our endeavor to become global citizens.
Sharing the ocean is one thing all living things have in common whether they live near it or not. Visiting with Jennifer Nolan dispelled some of the myths associated with sharks. Dispelling myths is one of the advantages of a global education. The sea turtles is a inspiring message that we have the power to make a positive change. I agree with Ms. Nolan that we are never too young (or too old) to make a difference.
Dispelling myths is what global education is all about! I am so glad you brought that up.
Not only did I learn new facts about sharks but I also learned that when you share a passion you/others have about a subject kids want to get involved and try and help make a difference. As you said earlier in this blog it’s not just about learning about the problem it’s also trying to come up with a solution. I love that you skyped with someone who shared their passion and helped young minds understand more about that topic! Awesome job exposing those students.
What an awesome experience that Tudor’s young global citizens experienced! These memories of Skyping with Ms. Nolan will remain with them life-long and they will continue to realize how they can impact change locally and globally. At Romig Middle School we have also done Water Day activities including reading “A Long Walk to Water,” using reusable water bottles (rather than plastic bottles) and donating the money saved, T-shirts, bracelets, and day-long STEM water activities.
Looking forward to Water Day 2019, too.
The more a child knows, the more they can make their own decisions about their actions and how it effects others. I love this project and can definitely tell how the more kids know about something close to them the more apt they are about changing how they live and educating others about their choices. I’d love to do something like this in my room.
Tudor Elementary is doing a lot of global work. Kudos to you all! Keep it and keep sharing.
This sounds like it was a great experience for the kids at Tudor. My students similarly studied issues pertaining to the health of the marine environment through a trip to the Alaska Sea Life Center. Our “action plan” was to write a fictional story of a marine mammal who ultimately solves a problem created by plastic pollution. All students then performed their stories at a writers gathering in our school.
It is great to see an example of skype in the classroom. I love the fact that the message from Ms. Nolan’s talk was “you are not too young to make a difference” because teaching global activism is important if we want to make the world a better place. It also great to see that the there is an established relationship between the school and scientist, rather than a one time meeting.
I learned some important facts about sharks while reading this post. I think sharing what you learn is crucial when it comes to making a positive difference in the world. Just by reading about your experience with Jennifer Nolan, I now have a better understanding and respect for sharks (which I can pass on to my daughters). Thank you for sharing this!
To Mrs. Carton and all her wonderfully “Jaw-some” students,
It was a pleasure visiting your classroom to talk about oceans and endangered sea turtles and sharks that need our help. We can all be a voice for the voiceless and help make a difference by making better daily choices. Thanks for the efforts you’re all making to clean-up our oceans by reducing, reusing, and RECYCLING plastic waste. Thanks for helping to address climate change, and remember,…sharing your passion for protecting the planet will inspire others to do the same. Together, we can create a better tomorrow for all living beings. The ocean is our life support system, so let’s all “dive in, and do more.” For the wild, Jennifer Nolan