U.S. Coast Guard Sponsors Pasadena ISD First Grade Sea Partners Earth Day Challenge 2014
In recognition of Earth Day 2014, all first grade classes throughout Pasadena ISD participated in the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sea Partners
Help Sammy the Sea Otter Keep Our Waters Clean educational outreach program.
The program raises awareness about ways students can help protect the marine environment.
“April is a fantastic time for this because first grader are learning about basic needs, physical characteristics of plants and animals, interdependence, food chains, and life cycles throughout the month,” Hillary Woest, Pasadena ISD special education program specialist, said. “Using the Sea Partners program of the U.S. Coast Guard and exposing the students to Sammy the Sea Otter is a phenomenal way to expose them to marine life, environmental concepts and the effects of pollution in a manner that is realistic and easily connected to everyday life in our area.”
Thanks to the collective efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCG) Flotilla 63 and Randy J. Ernst, manager of the USCG Auxiliary National Supply Center, a request was granted at the national level to provide Pasadena ISD with 5,000 Sammy the Sea Otter Activity Books and 10,000 stickers from the USCG and the Department of Homeland Security. Campuses received these materials via a First Grade Science FOCUS Meeting. Other resources for teachers included a handout on Teaching Students about Marine Debris, a list of educational hyperlinks and a Power Point presentation on the USCG Sea Partners Program.
Numerous Pasadena ISD teachers and principals have been raving about the Sea Partners programs. Candy Howard, principal of South Belt Elementary, shared this educational opportunity with her entire staff and students.
“This project has been an incredible way for the Coast Guard Auxiliary to connect with the community, a fantastic educational opportunity for the kids, and hopefully an outreach activity that will have long lasting positive impacts on our marine environment,” Howard said.
Fun Facts about Pasadena ISD First Grade Sea Partners Earth Day Challenge 2014:
1st graders in PISD: 4642
1st grade teachers: 225 (88 Bilingual and 137 regular)
Students at South Belt Elementary: 551
Teachers at South Belt Elementary: 36
TOTAL STUDENTS IMPACTED BY PROJECT: 5193
TOTAL TEACHERS IMPACTED BY PROJECT: 261
Number of activity books donated by USCG: 5,000
Number of stickers donated by USCG: 10,000
Pounds of publications delivered: 1,218 (42 boxes at 29 lbs. each)