Student Ocean Scientists program (photo: courtesy Reef Check)
Discovering the Ocean's Value AltaSea, L.A. Maritime Institute and Reef Check collaborate on the Student Ocean Scientists program.
36 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2016
by Monica Simpson “All hands to dockline!” bellows Captain Rob Laymon to his crew onboard the twomasted brigantine docked at Berth 78. The crewmembers scramble around deck scurrying to assigned positions as the tall-ship Exy Johnson prepares to set sail in the Harbor. Excited middle school students stand on the lookout near the stern and bow, waving goodbye to Ports O’ Call as they head out past the breakwater into the open blue Pacific. Although the Exy Johnson is no stranger to the high seas, this is the first ocean voyage with the onboard collaboration of Reef Check as part of their interactive Student Ocean Scientists (SOS) program. Announced last month, the SOS is made possible through partnership and educational collaboration with AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI). The clever acronym, SOS, emphasizes the urgency to protect our oceans and prevent future threats while raising awareness. Making marine conservation a middle school conversation, SOS is committed to providing youth from underprivileged communities the chance to engage in marine sciences while learning nautical skills and becoming part of a working sailboat crew. AltaSea, who approached LAMI, has provided the critical infrastructure for current programs to link with marine conservation and Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM). “Their focus is on the ocean and we are on the ocean constantly. They’re learning from us and we’re learning from them to better benefit the community to reach our kids,” said Joleen Deathearage, director of development and marketing for LAMI. “This is a perfect partnership with Reef Check and Alta Sea as we are teaching kids about our local harbor, marine life and the habitat.” Unlike some of these students who are visiting the ship and the ocean for the first time, the boat is no stranger to the port. Built and harbored here in San Pedro, the Exy Johnson is one of the official twin tall ships of Los Angeles. Alongside its 110-foot traditionally rigged twin, Irving Johnson, these multi-million dollar vessels are the flagships of LAMI and the main training vessels of the TopSail Youth Program based at the Port of L.A. Named after sail-training pioneers, Irving and Electa “Exy” Johnson who bravely circumnavigated the globe seven times, LAMI strives to honor their legacy of adventure, exploration, and education. “We don’t just teach kids how to sail, we teach them how to be a part of a team. These kids become part of the crew. They’re considered members,” said Deatherage about TopSail Youth and the 60,000 kids they have taken out since 1992. Previously with the TopSail Youth program, students had a curriculum that focused primarily on seamanship; navigation, sail training, and only some marine biology, but now Reef Check will split the curriculum equally with the sailing. Captain Laymon thinks this new program will be good for the kids, “It’s new and different for us. Traditionally the program has been about the experience of sailing and not so much about the science curriculum, so we are still working to integrate them smoothly but this is a good platform.” Based in Marina Del Rey, Reef Check Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and monitoring of coral and rocky reefs. Although based in Southern California, this 100% volunteer organization also works internationally in more
than 90 countries monitoring over 80 reefs and 1,000 miles of protected marine coastlines in California. With the new expansion from the partnership, students will receive handson oceanography instruction from Reef Check volunteers. Helming Exy Johnson’s first voyage with Reef Check is Dr. Gregor Hodgson, founder of Reef Check Foundation. The former UCLA professor of Marine Biology and coral reef ecologist is excited about working closely with underprivileged middle school students. “Over 50% of the kids have never been in the ocean. You can see the delight on their faces, they’re just thrilled for the chance,” said Hodgson. Using what Reef Check refers to as “citizen science,” students are confronted with one simple yet challenging question, “Why is the ocean valuable?” Accommodating up to 35 participants on day sails, these experiential ocean trips are made possible through funding from the Port of L.A. and individual donors. Focusing on Title I schools and youth in lowincome communities, these programs are available to schools on a first come first-serve basis. Matthew Clair, Math and Science teacher at Palms Middle School since 1996, has brought over 900 students on TopSail trips over the course of 10 years. “When you find an outdoor experience and take them out of their normal realm of reality, the long-term effects of this trip can be felt for many years to come,” said Clair, enthusiastic about the Reef Check addition. Proving that theory, Clair explains that he has already had many former students go on to study biology and marine sciences. Clair believes these excursions are an integral part of their education outside the classroom. “Setting the sails, working on marine navigation, and climbing the rigging doesn’t only work on teambuilding and maritime education, but character building as well." Passing around a pair of Nikon binoculars, the 6th grade students stare beyond Angels Gate out into the Harbor, surveying the horizon. Conducting scientific investigations, students-turned-sailors analyze and evaluate data collected in the coastal waters combining adventure with education. Different learning stations are set up around the boat where students rotate in between testing salinity, interacting with marine life such as sea urchins and Copepod plankton (the largest plankton in the Harbor), and learning to haul lines and trim sails. Teachers also benefit from SOS programs by receiving classroom guides and learning materials. “We want to educate them about the water. They are our future and the water is also our future. We have to educate them better and hopefully they become part of our future programs,” said Hodgson about the youth on board. “We teach them why the ocean is valuable and what the problems are: such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change.” With 30 trips scheduled this year and 21 more sails planned through June 2016, Deathearage is thrilled about the future of the TopSail and Reef Check programs and proud to keep them in San Pedro. “We’ve been on the waterfront for 22 years. The ships were built here on the waterfront, so this is a great way to keep them in the community and the waterfront,” she said. After the educational time spent at sea learning oceanography and navigating the water, AltaSea, Reef Check, and LAMI are confident students will be better prepared to chart their own course in life and hopefully go on to pursue a career in marine sciences. spt