Immerse your school into ocean studies with art projects and learning games. Through classroom activities and presentations, each child learns the importance and variety of animal and plant life in the marine environment. They learn the benefits of biodiversity, the threats and demands of our society’s use of the ocean’s natural resources as they discover their own talents in discovering solutions.
     School wide projects include a slide show by ocean naturalist/artist, Joan Bourque. Her adventures as an underwater photographer bring laughter and excitement to her audiences.
     Younger children can perform the play “Whose Ocean Is It Anyway?” . Older children can paint a mural depicting ocean life.  “Creature Cards” are given to every student from 3rd to 8th grade. Over 100 different animals are illustrated and identified by their habitats, predators and prey. A scavenger hunt of ten questions has them buzzing around at recess to discover for instance ‘Who is the fastest fish in the sea?’ or ‘Which reptile travels 3,000 miles to lay her eggs on the same beach she was born?’ Prizes can be awarded, too.
     Classroom activities include Seashore Bingo and ‘Who Am I?’ Others can create a three-dimensional display of Life at the Seashore. Some create pop-up cards with a poetic verse and a description of their creature.  Try an Ocean Solution Board Game. The imagination of kids is boundless. Their creativity will spill overboard with enthusiasm.
         Joan travels with her own ocean library. Her books include teacher activities, vocabulary and science experiments.
     In the past Joan's OCEAN WEEK has been funded in part by a grant from PADI and Project AWARE (Aquatic World Awareness Responsibility Education) Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688.
       Thanks to the generosity of the Cousteau Society, Joan's students receive free copies of their award winning Dolphin Log magazine.