Overview of 4-H Ocean Explorers
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EmailMay 21, 2021
Ocean Explorers Series overview
Video Transcript
(cheerful music) 4-H Ocean Explorers is a popular online series open to all families across Michigan. Native Michigander Madison Dix was employed as a science educator at a major US aquarium. When the global pandemic temporarily closed the aquarium's doors, Madison reached out to family and friends to try to find a meaningful way to occupy her time. She found that through volunteerism at Michigan 4-H, where she was able to share her passion and knowledge for marine life with our youth through this unique online program. What started as a one-time webinar about the Pacific giant octopus quickly grew by popular demand and included four additional presentations. From there, Ocean Explorers series blossomed and became a weekly wildlife and conservation series that lasted all summer long. Though virtual in nature, we attempted to create a sense of belonging for our participants, which is hallmark to all of our 4-H clubs. We showed where our volunteer Madison works, at a renowned aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts. We also shared where program participants resided across the state. Over 70 counties tuned in over the duration of our program. Because the program was available free and online, participants from across the country saw our flyers and began tuning in for our weekly calls. They included participants from 13 states and the District of Columbia. Weekly topics included: Seahorses: Spiny Super Dads, Electric Eels: The Shocking Truth, Narwhals: Unicorns of the Sea, and Sharks: Not as Scary as You Might Think. We talked about blue whales, mantis shrimp, sea turtles, squid, goblin sharks, coral reefs, mud skippers, fairy penguins, and more. Each week Madison shared drawings, videos, photographs, and personal stories about these amazing creatures. Families were encouraged to continue their learning through the club's website. It houses pre and post activities and links to live webcams to view some of these animals in their aquarium exhibits. The website also houses recordings of the programs so families can participate at a time that's convenient to them if they missed the original program. The series included several interactive elements along the way. For example, participants were polled every week to see what topic they'd like to learn about next. Each session was followed by a live question and answer session with Madison. In mid summer, we played a Quiz Bowl where participants could test their knowledge on what they learned throughout the series. Towards the end of the summer, Madison offered some "Ask Me Anything" sessions where youth could ask about sea life, conservation actions they could take or even learn about career paths in science education and marine biology. Participants were also encouraged to submit educational posters and artwork into the Michigan State Fair 4-H and Youth Virtual Showcase. Pictured here is Abbey, Simeon, and Tian as they displayed their Ocean Explorers project. Moving forward, Ocean Explorers will be offered as two online SPIN Clubs: one this fall, and then again in the spring. But beyond that, who knows, perhaps we can take some 4-H youth to Boston to meet Madison to get behind the scenes tours of aquarium operations, or perhaps participate in a whale watching expedition. But without a doubt, we do know that 4-H grows here. [Outro music]
