2018
Description
Aquatic Ambassador Challenge for Girl Guides of Canada
Lead Ambassador: Hannah Kosick
Project Description
For this project, I developed a Girl Guide Challenge in partnership with the Girl Guides of Canada Nova Scotia Council to educate youth about aquatic issues in NS and beyond. The challenge consists of ten activities that highlight topics such as plastic pollution, ocean acidification, species conservation initiatives, and coastal erosion in an interdisciplinary fashion. Some activities are science focused where others engage learners in the arts/humanities side of ocean health education. After I completed the Ocean Bridge program, GGC reached out to me to ask if I would be interested in adapting the challenge to their new, online program platform, Girls First. After another year of rewriting and reworking the content, the challenge is now available to girls across the country with a crest (designed by 2018 ocean bridge alumnus Lucy Wilkie) for girls in NS.
What was your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge was definitely coming up with a wide variety of activities that would be enticing for different types of learners. I didn't want to make the challenge completely science based as ocean literacy should not just be for scientists. Therefore, I came up with a few activities for girl guides that were more arts/humanities focused. For example, there is an activity where youth use design skills to create a poster to educate others about an aquatic creature that interests them. There is another activity that specifically focuses on how to use social media tactics to engage followers and foster passion for ocean health
What is your most valuable take away
Really that anything is possible if you put in the work for it! This project took about two years to complete in total and I am so happy to now have this information out there for keen youth interested in learning more about ocean health issues.
What is the status of your project
The project has since been completed, however, if there is interest I am sure GGC would be open to more partnerships to develop new educational programming related to the environment and ocean health issues. I personally builded on what I learned through this project by developing an online, educational guide about bumble bees for my undergrad honours thesis! If it weren't for this ocean bridge project, I don't think I would have had the knowledge or confidence to create it
Wetland Observation Deck
Lead Ambassador: Taylor Jones-Arason
Project Description
For my project I designed an observation deck and interpretive signage for the local community to highlight an area that was very important to me growing up and still is. I spent a lot of time there as a kid and it was the first place where I really developed an interest in wetlands and came to understand how important they are. I wanted to find a way to share this experience with others and that's what led to my project idea.
What was your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge was getting enough grant money to pay for the services involved and the cost of materials. It took a long time for me to plan everything out and to get the funds I needed, but luckily I was working in a small community and knew everyone involved, so the timeline for payment and project completion was very flexible.
What is your most valuable take away
Completing a project that has had longevity beyond my year in Ocean Bridge and that really contributed back to the community in a positive way.
Oceans Month
Lead Ambassador: Jasveen Brar
Project Description
In September of 2018, I hosted Oceans Month in collaboration with the Medicine Hat Public Library and the Redcliff Youth Centre where I hosted 20 workshops and presentations around the theme of ocean and waterway health and conservation. Some activities included a microplastics 101 workshop, a river shed cleanup and learning about how the oceans influence us (and us them)
What was your biggest challenge?
Getting people out to events was difficult at first as well as realizing that my presentation style was not welcome. Its challenging to be vocal about your work and perspective in places like southern Alberta where there are many conflicting opinions. So I changed up my presentation style (to be more 'fun' - for example talking about my trip to Antarctica and then talking about mobilization) and also sought out advice from locals such as a librarian at the public library who gave me advice about days that were busy and what programs they were already running that I could be a part of.
What is your most valuable take away
That although your project or work may not seem that 'ambitious' or 'marketable' in comparison to others, it is still just as impactful and meaningful.
Status
All wrapped up :)
Continue to Grants »
