Aquarium Of The Pacific African American Scholar Program
The Aquarium of the Pacific is a public aquarium in Long Beach, California, that houses over 11,000 animals representing over 500 species. The aquarium is also home to the African American Scholar Program, which provides educational opportunities for African American students to learn about marine biology, oceanography, and other related fields.
What is the African American Scholar Program?
The African American Scholar Program is a partnership between the Aquarium of the Pacific and several local schools and community organizations. The program provides free educational opportunities for African American students in grades 9-12 who are interested in learning more about the marine environment.
The program includes a variety of activities, including field trips to the aquarium, hands-on workshops, and lectures from marine biologists and other experts in the field. The goal of the program is to inspire and engage African American students in the sciences and encourage them to pursue careers in marine biology, oceanography, and related fields.
How does the program work?
The African American Scholar Program is open to students in grades 9-12 who attend schools in the Long Beach Unified School District, Compton Unified School District, or Lynwood Unified School District. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be interested in pursuing a career in marine biology, oceanography, or a related field.
The program begins with a two-day orientation at the aquarium, during which students participate in hands-on workshops and learn about the marine environment. Throughout the year, students attend monthly workshops and field trips, during which they learn about marine biology, oceanography, and related fields.
Students also participate in a variety of other activities, including community service projects, college preparation workshops, and mentoring programs. At the end of the program, students have the opportunity to present their research at a symposium and receive a certificate of completion.
Why is the program important?
The African American Scholar Program is important because it provides educational opportunities for African American students who may not otherwise have access to these resources. The program helps to promote diversity in the sciences and encourages more African American students to pursue careers in marine biology, oceanography, and related fields.
According to the National Science Foundation, African Americans are underrepresented in the sciences, with only 5% of bachelor's degrees in science and engineering awarded to African Americans in 2015. Programs like the African American Scholar Program help to address this disparity by providing educational opportunities and support for African American students.
Conclusion
The Aquarium of the Pacific African American Scholar Program is an important educational opportunity for African American students interested in marine biology, oceanography, and related fields. The program provides hands-on workshops, field trips, and mentoring opportunities to help students learn about the marine environment and pursue careers in the sciences. By promoting diversity in the sciences, the program helps to address the underrepresentation of African Americans in these fields and provides a pathway for students to achieve their educational and career goals.