Gift of Stories: Dive into Marine Conservation with Jake '23
Jake, UWCSEA Grade 12 student and UWCSEA Communications team
5 October 2022
In our Gift of Stories series, we share more about our community’s spirit of giving, one story at a time. Join us as we discover how #UWCSEAGiving makes a difference.
When we think of Marine Conservation, we think of protecting and preserving the ocean’s ecosystems. For Grade 12 student Jake, his introduction to marine conservation started with a family trip to the local aquarium. The trip sparked in him an intense passion for marine conservation that he’s carried with him until now.
Jake is the Founder and Chair of the Marine Conservation Service group, while also holding the title of Vice-Chair of the Marine Science Society in UWCSEA.
We either work on education for younger students about Marine Ecosystems or alternatively we organise fundraisers to fund our coral propagation work or to donate to marine conservation.
He shares more about his journey toward marine conservation as a field of study:
I created the curriculum that this service would follow, collaborating with teachers who were willing to supervise, and finding a space to hold this service. I also wanted to encourage younger students (Grade 9 and 10) to participate.
The service is a ‘hands-on’ group dedicated to Marine conservation activities, such as the seeding and growing of corals, but our priority is to teach and inspire younger students.
To pursue this passion and combine it with academic interests, both the Marine Science Society and Marine Conservation Service group work towards advancing students’ understanding of reef conservation and helping fulfil our school’s commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Dover Campus
At Dover Campus, the Marine Science Society encourages students to learn about ocean acidification and the importance of marine conservation through hands-on experiences. They also raise awareness about the fragility and importance of marine ecosystems through educational posters.
Members of the group have taught Grade 3 students to upskill themselves in their marine ecosystem knowledge by managing an aquarium research tank. Through intensive research and troubleshooting of the tank’s corals and fishes, they tackled an episode of algae bloom. They also experimented with eggshells to observe the effects of acidification, similar to what corals and crustaceans experience due to climate change.
East Campus
At East Campus, Middle and High School members of the Conservation@SEA Environmental Initiative (EI) are just as passionate. The EI is based around the 14th Sustainable development goal, 'Life below water’ as dictated by the UN, and focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of resources present in the marine environment.
The group worked hard to bring to life the recently installed tank system for the school community. They led an interactive marine-focused treasure hunt for Primary School students, started a website for their group, and filmed educational videos explaining the tank and the fragility of the marine ecosystems. The tank has been featured in the Grade 5 Exhibition and Grade 11 Extended Essays, sparking deeper learning among many students.
This experience was very educational, and I learnt how to protect marine sea animals.
– Lucas, Grade 3 student
It was very exciting to go to the Science Block to see how eggs change in vinegar after a few days. We learned how acid in the water can affect animal shells in the ocean.
– Anna, Grade 3 student
Nurturing a community of learners
When asked about how his team has created a community of learners, Jake responded with:
The participating students use their lunch breaks and free periods to learn how to tend and enhance our coral growth tanks and play environmentally focussed educational games that teach the importance of marine conservation. It has been a great privilege to see the children’s eyes light up at the sight of luminescent coral. Many of these students have never seen coral before and marine conservation had been, at best, an abstract idea for them. Taking them into this hands-on environment has had a profound impact on their interest and awareness of the importance of protecting our coral reefs and ecosystems. Many of them have even asked me what help they can provide after school or on weekends.
I’m hopeful this has set a positive groundwork for the next generation of High School students to embrace and carry out the passion connected to the Marine Conservation Service. While I won’t be there to guide them or drive its success once I graduate, I would tell younger students interested in Marine Conservation to be actively looking for groups they can join and ways they can contribute to marine sustainability.
I find joy in knowing that we have been able to inspire a younger generation to continue growing our Marine Science Conservation programme.
#UWCSEAGiving represents a future with possibilities and potential, inspiring the younger generation, to be the change they want to see in the world. Community gifts fund programmes like the Marine Conservation initiatives across the College.
Help us provide opportunities for students.