The Sink or Swim Project

For as long as I can recall over my very young life I’ve dreamed of studying marine biology and attending the University of Miami.

Of course, I’ve grown up around the ‘U,’ what with my mother, father and grandfather each having graduated from the school, much less attending all sorts of football and basketball games, as well as the occasional speaker such as Supreme Court Justice Roberts, the Dalai Lama, former President Bill Clinton or others, the place holds a special place in my heart.

For all of these reasons it was a very BIG deal to learn of the school’s Summer Scholar’s Program for high school students, much less to apply and to then be honored to be selected to attend. My time on campus taking two classes in Tropical Marine Biology made for a breathtaking and fast break, month long experience, most certainly a highlight of my life, thus far.

Between classes, labs, field trips, homework and tests, the days (and nights) were very long but the education and experience was priceless. Where else can one spend part of their summer diving coral reefs and sea grass patches, swimming with dolphins and tagging sharks in the wild while learning all sorts of cool things about marine biology? I’d recommend the program to anyone interested and whether it’s about marine bio, medicine, drama, law, engineering or any of the many other areas of study that are offered, it’s a program that I would highly suggest. To learn more about the Summer Scholar’s Program at the University of Miami visit: http://miami.edu/dcie/index.php/ssp

Lastly, I’d be remiss to not thank the teachers, CA’s and people who organized and operated the program. Each of you made an amazing impact on me and made the University of Miami shine to the 22 marine biology students  from all over America. Thanks to Dr. Hitchcock and Dr. Merly for your most excellent lectures and leadership, as well as to our wonderful CAs: Aly, Lauren, and Charlie who helped us survive the courses while having a blast along the way!

As we say around South Florida, ‘It’s All About The U’…Go Canes!

Hi everyone! As the school year winds down I have two pieces of news to share with you. First, I’d like to thank everyone who has supported The Sink or Swim Project in recent months. The response to the initiative has been amazing and the emails that we are getting from educators and thought leaders, both local and all over the world (one from India just this morning!), is very exciting. We plan to continue to work hard to educate today’s youth about sea rise and global warming, but could not do it without your support. For that support, thank you. Now the news:

 

 

The Sink or Swim Project at the Nature Film Night, this Friday, May 15^th.

 I am pleased to share that The Sink or Swim Project will be presented this coming Friday night at Pinecrest Gardens as part of their Nature Film Series in what should be an informative and fun evening. The film that night will be the March of the Penguins, a wonderful National Geographic produced, Academy Award winning movie.

Prior to the movie there will be four lectures including Luiz Rodrigues from ECOMB, Caroline Lewis of The CLEO Institute, myself on behalf of The Sink or Swim Project and a Q&A featuring Dr. David Enfield from the Miami-Dade County Sea Level Rise Task Force. The Nature Film Series is a series of three nature films, this Friday’s being the last for this school year, that I am told has proved to be a strong educational initiative for the community, so I hope that you and your family will consider joining us this Friday night.

Pinecrest Gardens is located at 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest, Florida 33156. Gates open at 6:30. The lectures begin at 7 and the film starts at about 8 PM. Please consider joining us to learn more about these very important topics.

No Statewide Plan As Sea Rise Threatens

I’d also like to share with everyone that there is an excellent article on the front page of Monday’s (May 11^th) Miami Herald about sea level rise and its impact all over Florida. The article portrays challenges from St. Augustine to Key West, as well as the obstacles that we face from our current state political leadership. The Associated Press has been scouring the state’s email, including the Governor’s, and what they are finding, and the lack of progress based on scientific thought is, well, frightening. To read the article click here.

I hope to see everyone on Friday evening at Pinecrest Gardens. Thanks again for your support on these very important topics and please consider sharing our information with a friend.

Our planet is worth cherishing and protecting… Happy Earth Day.