WAVE Foundation’s Education Program Earns “Top Honors” Award from Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Posted on October 2, 2018 by NewportAquarium

Silver Spring, Maryland (October 2, 2018) – The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced WAVE Foundation at Newport Aquarium (WAVE) has been recognized with AZA’s 2018 Education Award for the Foundation’s Living Curriculum Initiative (LCI). WAVE Foundation was selected as the “Top Honors” recipient of this national award during AZA’s September conference in Seattle.

Dan Ashe, AZA President and CEO, presents the 2018 Education Award to Scott Wingate, Executive Director of WAVE Foundation, and Erin Shultz, Community Outreach Coordinator for WAVE Foundation.

The AZA Education Award recognizes outstanding achievement in educational program design. Programs are judged on their ability to promote conservation knowledge, attitudes and behavior, show innovation, and measure success.

“Education at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums is marked by a sharing of scientific discovery and a love of nature,” said AZA President and CEO Dan Ashe. “WAVE Foundation at Newport Aquarium is a leader in conservation education; with its immersive Living Curriculum Initiative instilling among its participants what Rachel Carson called, ‘a sense of wonder.’”

WAVE created the Living Curriculum Initiative, a program built to integrate science into a reading and writing focused curricula inspired by bringing live sharks into classrooms. The LCI works to revolutionize how science is introduced to elementary school students in public schools throughout Cincinnati. Based on increased pressure of common core standardized testing, many elementary schools across the nation are required to focus on reading and writing in grades K-3; often neglecting authentic science instruction before 4th grade. Correspondingly, students miss a critical development period to cultivate curiosity through experiential, knowledge building scientific inquiry-based practices.

“The LCI program is developed to provide formal public learning institutions an intentional opportunity to integrate informal learning tools into their classrooms to provide improved outcomes on learning objectives and increase conservation ethic in participating schools, students and teachers,” said Scott Wingate, Executive Director of the WAVE Foundation.

WAVE Foundation is one of seven informal learning institutions that work in collaboration with Cincinnati Public Schools District (CPS) to advance formal education and boost achievement on standardized testing. Annually the program engage 30 science teachers, administrators and curriculum developers from CPS to address the science learning gap and develop innovative curriculum that advances our mission, the objectives of CPS, and their students.

Collaborative partners for this project included Cincinnati Public Schools and TutorGen, Inc.

To learn more about AZA’s Honors and Awards, please visit https://www.aza.org/honors-awards.

About WAVE Foundation
WAVE Foundation, in partnership with Newport Aquarium, strives to excite, engage and educate our community about the wonders of aquatic life and the importance of conservation. Programs exist in three core focus areas: education, conservation and volunteerism. WAVE provides unique education curriculum and experiences for students of all ages; supports and provides leadership in local, national and global conservation efforts; and has a vibrant volunteer program with over 500 dedicated volunteers. To learn more, visit: www.wavefoundation.org

About AZA
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and seven other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.

America Recycles Day is November 15

Posted on November 12, 2015 by NewportAquarium

by Madison Wallace, Newport Aquarium Public Relations Aide

The phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” is probably one you’ve heard before, but for America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, we would like to encourage you to dive a little deeper into the effects recycling has on marine ecosystems and the ocean at large.

More than any other type of pollution, plastic is harming marine ecosystems.

Why? A single plastic bag can take over 500 years to break down naturally, and this process creates what scientists refer to as “microplastics”. Microplastics are tiny granules of plastic that have worn away from larger pieces of plastic waste like bags and bottles, and are now suspended indefinitely in the ocean.

A penny provides scale for the size of micro plastics.
Photo source: http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/12/new-concerns-about-plastic-pollution-in-great-lakes-garbage-patch/

In fact, scientists estimate that for every square mile of ocean, there are around 46,000 pieces of plastic waste suspended and continuously breaking down.

It’s hard to imagine that the plastic shopping bag you get from the grocery store could make its way into a river near your house, or even the ocean, but it’s estimated that more than 8 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean and lakes every year.

Photo Source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/news/photos/000/806/80621.ngsversion.1422282021989.adapt.768.1.jpg

It’s estimated that 80 percent of marine pollution originates on dry land, particularly from waste that hasn’t been disposed of properly. Plastics floating in the ocean pose serious threats to marine animals that are often already endangered. These creatures often ingest plastic waste, or become entangled in it.

For example, if you’ve been to Newport Aquarium, you’ve probably encountered Denver the Loggerhead sea turtle. Sea turtles are particularly at risk for consuming deadly plastics because they feed off the surface.

Denver, our nearly 200-pound loggerhead sea turtle, serves an ambassador to Newport Aquarium’s sea turtle conservation efforts.

Loggerheads’ diets primarily consist of jellyfish, which floating plastic bags often resemble. This mistake can often be fatal or debilitating.

High densities of plastic pollution tend to target seabirds, marine mammals such as seals and otters and reptiles such as turtles, many of which are represented her at The Aquarium.

For America Recycles Day, Newport Aquarium wanted to share some ways you can help minimize the amount of plastic waste that enters the ocean annually and support the well-being of the animals at risk.

FIVE WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Invest in reusable grocery bags
Try grabbing a few reusable grocery bags next time you’re at the grocery! Stores will often give you a discount for bringing your reusable bags, and your family can save up to 1,500 bags annually. (http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008/080109.asp)

Bring your own thermos
Make your next morning coffee run a little greener. Bringing your own coffee thermos allows you to skip the paper (or Styrofoam) cup, the plastic lid and avoid inevitable coffee spills! Plus, many coffee places will give you a B.Y.O.M. (bring your own mug) discount.

Avoid cosmetics with microbeads
Facial scrubs and toothpastes often boast of being exfoliating, but they’re also being filtered into our Great Lakes. These products contain plastic microbeads, which are washed down drains and dumped into lakes and rivers. Switch to more natural products that utilize non-plastic exfoliates.

Pass on the bottled water
Somewhere around 50 million plastic water bottles are produced in the United States every year. Switching to a reusable water bottle can make a huge difference in the amount of plastic you use daily, and save you a ton of money. (http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008/080109.asp)

Join the movement
Newport Aquarium’s nonprofit partner, the WAVE Foundation, hosts a river cleanup team through ORSANCO (Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission) every year. All bodies of water are connected, and helping clean up the Ohio River is a great place to start.

For more information, check out your county’s recycling guidelines on ways to recycle properly, and do your part to learn more about how to reuse and recycle as many of your household waste products as possible.

Nauti Nite, the WAVE Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, set for Oct. 2 at Newport Aquarium

Posted on September 28, 2015 by NewportAquarium

NEWPORT, Ky. — The WAVE Foundation, an independent nonprofit in partnership with Newport Aquarium, invites the public to paint the night blue for ocean conservation Oct. 2 at the 10th annual Nauti Nite fundraiser presented by PM/PC Direct Inc.

“Nauti Nite is one of the premier fundraisers for conservation in Greater Cincinnati,” said Scott Wingate, the WAVE Foundation’s execute director. “The funds generated during this ‘Party with the Penguins’ help the WAVE Foundation to serve as an advocate for marine life and to educate children throughout the community about the importance of conservation.”

Nauti Nite attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite blue cocktail attire as they celebrate the largest WAVE Foundation fundraiser of the year and party with Newport Aquarium’s adorable, tuxedoed African penguins.

Proceeds raised from Nauti Nite directly benefit the WAVE Foundation’s education and conservation programs, such as the Finstitute, which serves more than 20,000 students per year through outreach programs, classes and aquarium visits.

Held at Newport Aquarium from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Nauti Nite will feature local catering, live music, a silent auction and exotic animal encounters, in addition to exclusive after-hours access to the one of the top-rated aquariums in the U.S.

Guests will have the opportunity to explore Newport Aquarium’s more than 90 unique exhibits, observe the beauty of aquatic life, enjoy food and beverages from dozens of Greater Cincinnati’s favorite eateries and listen to live music.

Tickets to Nauti Nite are available at wavefoundation.org for $75 per person, $140 per couple, and include unlimited food and beverages. Newport Aquarium Annual Passholders receive a 20-percent discount on Nauti Nite tickets.

In 2014, Nauti Nite generated more than $50,000 to further the WAVE Foundation’s mission of promoting the welfare of aquatic life through advocacy, volunteerism and education.

For more information on Newport Aquarium, visit NewportAquarium.com or call toll free 800-406-FISH (3474). To learn more about the WAVE Foundation, visit wavefoundation.org.

About the WAVE Foundation at Newport Aquarium:
The WAVE Foundation is an independent, educational nonprofit organization at Newport Aquarium, which strives to excite, engage and educate the community about aquatic life and the importance of conservation. Its programming initiatives exist in three core areas: education, conservation and volunteerism. WAVE provides unique education curriculum and experiences for students of all ages; supports and provides leadership in local, national and global conservation efforts; and has a vibrant volunteer program with more than 500 dedicated volunteers.

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Newport Aquarium has showcased thousands of animals from around the world in a million gallons of water since May 15, 1999. Named one of the best aquariums in the U.S. by Travel Channel and USA Today, Newport Aquarium is a Herschend Family Entertainment company and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky jewel attraction is home to: The world’s first and only Shark Bridge; the world’s first Shark Ray Breeding Program; Mighty Mike – the biggest and baddest American alligator outside the state of Florida; the largest and most diverse collection of sharks in the Midwest; and one of the world’s largest and most diverse penguin exhibits. Newport Aquarium is open to the public 365 days a year and is located across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati at Newport on the Levee.

Stay Hooked In: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Google+ | YouTube

One Aquarium Way | Newport, KY 41071 | 859-261-7444
www.newportaquarium.com

Shark Week to feature beneficiary of WAVE Foundation at Newport Aquarium

Posted on July 8, 2015 by NewportAquarium

NEWPORT, Ky. — A beneficiary of the WAVE Foundation, Newport Aquarium’s nonprofit organization, will be on Shark Week programming on Discovery Channel this week.

“There will be some Shark Week appearances that were partly made possible by the WAVE Foundation,” said Dr. Craig O’Connell, co-founder of the O’Seas Conservation Foundation (OCF). “If it wasn’t for (the WAVE Foundation’s) funding, I wouldn’t have been able to follow my passion for shark conservation.”

O’Connell and his work with the OCF will be in the follow Shark Week episodes:

Ninja Sharks (Wednesday, July 8 | 10 p.m. ET)

Shark After Dark (Thursday, July 9 | 11 p.m. ET)

Shark Island (Sunday, July 12 | 8 p.m. ET)

In 2014, the WAVE Foundation contributed $4,500 to the OCF to assist with shark science and youth education. The funds were used to help study the life history characteristics of the common thresher shark, smooth hammerhead and white shark in the Atlantic Ocean near the New York and New Jersey. WAVE Foundation’s donation was also used to develop a youth education program to provide students with skills to excel in marine biology.

By integrating shark tagging with youth education, this innovative approach has increased the knowledge pertaining to an understudied species and has helped secure our future through the education and motivation of our environmentally conscious youth.

“The funds from the WAVE Foundation have been put to good use,” said O’Connell. “We have made many discoveries, including observing common thresher, white, smooth hammerheads, and huge mako sharks feeding around our longlines. This will yield a complexity of studies that will largely contribute to species conservation!”

O’Connell stated the most important aspect of the WAVE Foundation’s contributions were the marine biology experience gained for his approximate 25 students, who range from 5th to 12th grade.

“The funds from the WAVE Foundation were used to essentially sponsor these kids and the experience they gained, and the smiles they left, which is something I will forever cherish, so I want to thank you again,” said O’Connell. “This funding has changed my life!”

The WAVE Foundation also contributed to the OCS in 2013 in the amount of $750, which was used to purchase materials necessary for one of O’Connell’s project aimed to decrease the amount of shark mortalities caused by beach nets and produce an eco-friendly alternate solution to netting in the form of magnets.

About WAVE Foundation
The WAVE Foundation is an independent, educational non-profit organization at Newport Aquarium, which strives to excite, engage and educate the community about aquatic life and the importance of conservation. Its programming initiatives exist in three core areas: education, conservation and volunteerism. WAVE provides unique education curriculum and experiences for students of all ages; supports and provides leadership in local, national and global conservation efforts; and has a vibrant volunteer program with over 500 dedicated volunteers.

About O’Seas Conservation Foundation
Established in 2013, the O’Seas Conservation Foundation (OCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that actively participates in wildlife conservation projects all over the world. Founded by Dr. Craig O’Connell and Dr. Nicole O’Connell, OCF was established to conduct local and global conservation engineering, population dynamics, and other field studies focusing on some of the most endangered species on the planet. However, with a home base in New York, OCF’s key focus is to characterize the shark, skate and ray fauna in local waters to help obtain valuable population dynamics and structure-related data for several critical species. Besides this, OCF is unique in that it runs summer programs for 6th-12th graders, giving them the opportunity to be part of shark research projects and inspiring them to pursue a career in the field of conservation/marine biology.

For more information on Newport Aquarium, visit NewportAquarium.com or call toll free 800-406-FISH (3474).

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Newport Aquarium, voted the No. 1 aquarium in the country by USA Today’s 10Best.com in 2012, has showcased thousands of animals from around the world in a million gallons of water since 1999. Named a top U.S. aquarium by US City Traveler and Destinations Travel Magazine in 2014, and also by Travel Channel in 2013, Newport Aquarium is a Herschend Family Entertainment company and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Newport Aquarium is open to the public 365 days a year and is located across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati at Newport on the Levee.

Find us on: Facebook.com/NewportAquarium | Twitter: @NewportAquarium
Instagram: @newport_aquarium

One Aquarium Way | Newport, KY 41071 | 859-261-7444
www.newportaquarium.com

Newport Aquarium to offer special programming during Endangered Species Day weekend

Posted on May 8, 2015 by NewportAquarium

Sand tiger sharks are listed as endangered.

NEWPORT, Ky. — In recognition of Endangered Species Day, Newport Aquarium is offering guests special conservation and education programming, included with admission, throughout the weekend of May 15-17.

Endangered Species Day programming will include interactive Q&A sessions about the survival of African penguins during the Penguin Parade (10:15 a.m. daily), as well as sharks talks from the Shark Ray Bay Theater in between dive shows.

The WAVE Foundation, Newport Aquarium’s nonprofit partner, will have discovery stations located throughout the aquarium, where guests can learn about everyday actions that they can take to help the survival of endangered animals.

Denver, an endangered loggerhead sea turtle, swims in the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit.

Started in 2006 by the U.S. Senate, Endangered Species Day is the third Friday of May each year and designed to raise awareness for the country’s need to protect imperiled wildlife, with an emphasis on success stories of species recovery.

Newport Aquarium’s 16-year anniversary of opening to the public is also on May 15.

For more information on Newport Aquarium, visit NewportAquarium.com or call toll free 800-406-FISH (3474). To learn more about the WAVE Foundation at Newport Aquarium, visit wavefoundation.org.

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Find us on: Facebook.com/NewportAquarium | Twitter: @NewportAquarium

One Aquarium Way | Newport, KY 41071 | 859-261-7444
www.newportaquarium.com

Newport on the Levee’s endowment to the WAVE Foundation to fund Newport Aquarium visits for underprivileged students

Posted on February 24, 2015 by NewportAquarium

L-R: Newport Aquarium Executive Director Eric Rose, Newport on the Levee General Manager Harold Dull, WAVE Foundation Board of Directors Chairman Mark Evans, WAVE Foundation Education Program Manager Dan Dunlap.

NEWPORT, Ky. — More than 1,400 underprivileged schoolchildren will have the opportunity to go on a field trip to Newport Aquarium and take marine biology classes after the WAVE Foundation on Monday received a significant donation from Newport on the Levee.

Harold Dull, general manager at Newport on the Levee, visited the aquarium Monday morning and presented a check for $10,000 to the WAVE Foundation, Newport Aquarium’s nonprofit partner.

Newport on the Levee’s donation will go toward the WAVE Foundation’s Price Charities grant, which affords WAVE’s Friends of Finstitute program to fund Newport Aquarium visits and Finstitute Learning Adventure classes for disadvantaged youth.

WAVE Foundation Education Program Education Manager Dan Dunlap conducts a Serious about Sharks Finstitute Learning Adventure.

To date, the WAVE Foundation’s Price Charities grant has underwritten more than 20,000 underprivileged students from approximately 70 Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky schools.

“Newport on the Levee is thrilled to present this donation of $10,000 to the WAVE Foundation at the Newport Aquarium,” stated Dull. “The organization is an invaluable asset to not only our property, but to the Newport community as a whole.”

Newport Aquarium Executive Director and WAVE Foundation board member Eric Rose, WAVE Foundation Board of Directors Chairman Mark Evans and WAVE Foundation Education Program Manager Dan Dunlap accepted the check on behalf of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

“The WAVE Foundation is extremely appreciative of Newport on the Levee’s generosity,” said Rose. “Newport on the Levee has been a tremendous supporter of the WAVE Foundation. This substantial gift will help WAVE advance its mission to excite, engage, and educate our community about the welfare of aquatic life and the importance of conservation.”

For more information on Newport Aquarium, visit NewportAquarium.com or call toll free 800-406-FISH (3474).

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About Newport Aquarium
Newport Aquarium, voted the No. 1 aquarium in the country by USA Today’s 10Best.com in 2012, has showcased thousands of animals from around the world in a million gallons of water since 1999. Named a top U.S. aquarium by US City Traveler and Destinations Travel Magazine in 2014, and also by Travel Channel in 2013, Newport Aquarium is a Herschend Family Entertainment company and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Newport Aquarium is open to the public 365 days a year and is located across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati at Newport on the Levee. Like Newport Aquarium on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

About the WAVE Foundation
The WAVE Foundation strives to excite, engage and educate the community about aquatic life and the importance of conservation. Its programming initiatives exist in three core areas: education, conservation and volunteerism. WAVE provides unique education curriculum and experiences for students of all ages; supports and provides leadership in local, national and global conservation efforts; and has a vibrant volunteer program with more than 500 dedicated volunteers. The WAVE Foundation is an independent, educational foundation at the Newport Aquarium and is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID # 61-1325992. For additional information, visit wavefoundation.org and like us on Facebook.

About Newport on the Levee
Newport on the Levee is a multi-level urban retail entertainment center located strategically across from downtown Cincinnati on the south bank of the Ohio River in Newport, Kentucky. Drawing approximately 3.5 million people per year, Newport on the Levee is the most popular attraction in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area – supported by research performed by Northern Kentucky University’s marketing department. Voted by Zagat as the #1 Mall/Shopping Attraction for Families in the United States, the Levee features a variety of entertainment options such as the 20-screen AMC Theater, the award-winning Newport Aquarium, Axis Alley boutique bowling lounge, GameWorks, and the Funny Bone Comedy Club; several national and regional restaurant brands such as Dick’s Last Resort, Brio Tuscan Grille, Mitchell’s Fish Market, and Brothers Bar & Grill; creative class office tenants i-wireless, Intrinzic, Constellation Brands and Comstock Valuation, along with several specialty shops, carts and kiosks. For more information, visit www.newportonthelevee.com, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, and get connected with the Levee on Facebook and Twitter.

Homeschool Days at Newport Aquarium to return March 9-10

Posted on February 10, 2015 by NewportAquarium

Homeschoolers offered discounted admission, exclusive marine biology classes

NEWPORT, Ky. – Newport Aquarium is offering discounted admission to homeschool students and educators during its Homeschool Days, March 9-10.

Tickets for Homeschool Days are only $11 per person, a savings of nearly 50 percent off compared to the standard admission price of $23 for adults and $15 for children ages 2-12.

Homeschool Days allow homeschoolers grades K-12 the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of marine life and conservation at Newport Aquarium, one of the top aquariums in the country according to Travel Channel and USA Today’s 10Best.com.

The WAVE Foundation, Newport Aquarium’s nonprofit partner, will offer courses through its Finstititute Classroom Experience to supplement the educational experience of exploring Newport Aquarium’s more than 90 exhibits.

Courses through the Finstititute Classroom Experience – which are available for $4 a person, per class – include:

Serious About Sharks (9:15 a.m. each day): Students receive exclusive access to the Shark Ray Bay Theater, before the aquarium opens to the public, to learn all about sharks in a 30-minute class.

Scales and Tails (10:15 a.m. each day): Students learn about reptiles while experiencing live animal encounters during this 45-minute class.

Backstage Animal Experiences, where guests get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the aquarium, are also available to Homeschool Days participants at a discounted rate of $5, a 67-percent discount off the standard price.

Homeschool Days tickets must be ordered through a registration form available at NewportAquarium.com. Registration for Homeschool Days must be completed by March 4. Please call 859-815-1423 for additional registration information.

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Find us on: Facebook.com/NewportAquarium | Twitter: @NewportAquarium

One Aquarium Way | Newport, KY 41071 | 859-261-7444
www.newportaquarium.com

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Tag Archives: education

WAVE Foundation’s Education Program Earns “Top Honors” Award from Association of Zoos and Aquariums

America Recycles Day is November 15

Nauti Nite, the WAVE Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, set for Oct. 2 at Newport Aquarium

Shark Week to feature beneficiary of WAVE Foundation at Newport Aquarium

Newport Aquarium to offer special programming during Endangered Species Day weekend

Newport on the Levee’s endowment to the WAVE Foundation to fund Newport Aquarium visits for underprivileged students

Homeschool Days at Newport Aquarium to return March 9-10