SeaWorld Team Member Educates School ChildrenAbout 1,000 kids from Catholic schools all over San Antonio are pouring through the front gate of SeaWorld. I heard the kids chanting to their chaperones and teachers, “Dolphins, dolphins, dolphins.” Carefully examining the map, the chaperones and teachers abided to the students' requests and started their day by visiting Dolphin Cove.
While SeaWorld may be closed to the public, the Education & Conservation department still has programs going on year round. Today we are conducting the Instructional Field Experience (IFE). “IFE's are a truly educational experience,” Kelly Morales, Education & Conservation department manager of the IFE programs, states. “Only the animal venues staffed by our education team members are open, and two animal presentations discussing ecosystems and adaptations are performed.” In fact, Kelly sends schools who are participating in the IFE education information including activities, book lists and more that are all aligned with the TEKS to be used before, during and after their visit.
St. Thomas More is one of the schools attending the 7th Annual Catholic School Day IFE. Michelle Allen, Vice Principal and 4th-grade teacher at St. Thomas More, expressed the following about the IFE, “Most of the students that attend would not normally have the opportunity to visit SeaWorld, and you can't replace the experience of seeing the animals in person versus reading about them in the classroom.”
It was obvious as I visited the killer whale presentation; these students are experiencing something that just can't be replicated in the classroom. I think Rick Gray, the educator conducting the presentation, said it best, “It's the reactions on the kid's faces the first time they see Shamu that makes this job so rewarding.” I most certainly agree.
Thanks and Gig 'em,
Chance
