Ocean Explorers Spooky Snorkel 2011 - You Can Be Involved!

WORD IS OUT...AND THE WEATHER LOOKS GREAT FOR THIS YEAR! PURPOSE OF SPOOKY SNORKEL 2011 This is a fun and educational "fund raiser" to support Culebra's Ocean Explorers. The fun is for local kids, who have limited access to fun activities.  We don't expect our local explorers to bear the burden of meaningful fund raising, so we depend on donations from people like you... We hope you will consider donating to Culebra's Ocean Explorers Program.  SAFETY Yes, this is at night.  Two attractions will be featured. A walking trail with glowing exhibits for very little participants in less than one foot of water, and a more elaborate trail of glowing exhibits for snorkelers - in about 3 feet of water.  Exhibits will be anchored in the sandy protected area of the muellecito, Playa Flamenco.  While the exhibits will be in very shallow water - water and lights will make everything appear larger through the dive mask. There will divers in the water from CESAM - UPR, and kayakers around the perimeter. A certified dive instructor will be on hand as well as adult supervision onshore. A lion fish hunt will happen thursday night at sunset to make sure the area is clean.  NOT PROMOTING DARK RELIGIONS This Halloween theme is in no way an endorsement of witchery or occult religious beliefs.  This activity is non-demononational.   WANT TO HELP LOCALLY? Become part of the Skeleton Crew.     Everyone is WELCOME to participate! MEET: Anytime after 1:00 PM FRIDAY          Ocean Studies Classroom Eco School to finish underwater exhibits. MEET: Anytime after 3:00 PM Saturday at the muellecito to begin set up of attractions in the water  VISIT THE EXHIBIT: Sunset to 9:00 PM for spooky fun at muellecito Saturday night.  SUPPLIES NEEDS LIST - contact 787.556.6234 if you can help..... - TWO OCEAN KAYAKS FOR THE EVENING OF THE 15th - bicycle inner tubes  - new C cell batteries - glow sticks - old mosquito nets - patio torches and torch fluid EDUCATIONAL In our coral reef ecosystem,  small things help make the world go round. Plankton and small fish will likely visit these glowing attractions - with the educational goal being to stimulate curiosity about these aquatic "alien" beings.   Raising the curiosity of children is the basis for science training (1).  Experience in ocean studies can only benefit local students who must shoulder the burden of ocean resource management in their rapidly changing futures. On the very small Caribbean archipelago of Culebra, shallow coral reefs are the backbone of the local culture and economy. Coral reef fish provide sustenance for the people. At no other time in our past history has ocean education been more important to local youth. This education requires meaningful engagement, and meaningful engagement for us begins with fun, creativity and curiosity in this three dimentional wonderland. ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS This exhibit is in sand and will not impact corals or coral reefs.   The exhibit is for a few hours only and all will be removed after 9:00 pm.  Glowsticks will be disposed of properly. ABOUT CULEBRA OCEAN EXPLORERS  Culebra's Ocean Explorers program annually engages at least 12 local students, ages 8 - 18 providing 30 no-cost, extracurricular, knowledged based excursions.    Students pay for excursions by contributing time to community service.       OCEAN EXPLORERS SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES For the past decade, CORALations and Culebra Ocean Explorers provide two weeks of fun and educational aquatic activities for 50 local students through Campamento Amistad and through "Centro De Apoyo a la Familia." CORALations also provides the gear and local Explorer guided excursions to visit green sea turtles and coral farms for over 100 Eco-School summer camp participants annually. Summer camp activities are focussed on empowerment and action as students in their Culebra Super Hero rash guards, fly over the coral cities and rescue these important marine creatures from trash, propellor wash and fishing debris.   Educational Approach Ocean Explorers extracurricular program embraces a discovery learning approach, where small groups of participants are provided expeditionary experiences and activities designed to raise questions and facilitate collaboration.  This supports the more traditional knowledge based science training provided by the Eco-School who have helped when they can by coordinating in-class science teaching topics to mesh with expedition missions.   1. David Klahr, Corinne Zimmerman, Jamie Jirout, Educational Interventions to Advance Children's Scientific Thinking, SCIENCE VOL 333, 971-974 (2011). SPECIAL THANKS  to Dr. Paul Sikkel, visiting collaborator for his continued dedication on Culebra  ...raising planktonic awareness and education throughout  the Caribbean.

P.O. Box 750  Culebra,  Puerto Rico  00775 787-556-6234   CORALations is a registered non-for-profit organization in Puerto Rico and a registered 501 (C) 3 organization in the United States.  All donations tax deductable to extent allowed by law.