Growing up in California, I was very fortunate to be exposed first-hand to the true beauty of nature. I was also very fortunate to participate in amazing programs focused on science and the environment and this shaped me to who I am today. I'm highlighting some great opportunities again this year for Youth Activists, please share!
2020 Paul Walker Youth Leadership Award
Being a 2018 recipient of the Paul Walker Youth Leadership Award, I've had the privilege of working with the Paul Walker Foundation. Team PW's support of my No Straw November initiative has been amazing and their support continues to reach people all over the world. I'm beyond proud to be a family member of TeamPW and provide support to ocean causes that were important to Paul Walker.
The Paul Walker Youth Award was created by the Monterey Bay Aquarium in collaboration with Paul Walker’s daughter, Meadow Walker, and the Paul Walker Foundation to honor the memory of the actor who used his celebrity to advance ocean causes and in support of philanthropic ventures.
The Youth Award recognizes a young person, age 16 to 22, who is an ocean conservation champion. The Paul Walker Foundation provides a scholarship to each youth award winner to help them pursue marine science/environmental studies in college.
Click here for more details. Applications for consideration for the 2020 award must be received by 11:59 pm on Monday, February 24, 2020.
Ocean Heroes Bootcamp!
June 26 - 29, 2020 at the Uniniversity of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC
Ocean Heroes Bootcamp empowers existing and emerging youth leaders to create their own campaigns to take action against ocean plastic pollution.
Click here for more information and to apply for this amazing FREE event (airfare not included, however you can apply for a travel scholarship).
Monterey Bay Aquarium Young Women in Science (YWS)
I found my passion for the Ocean thanks to the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Young Women in Science program. It shaped me into who I am today. This is a local opportunity, please see the requirements. I encourage all qualified young women to apply, it will change their life.
Requirements:
Grade level: Middle school (entering grades 7 or 8 next school year) Ages: 11–13 Attend school in Santa Cruz, San Benito or Monterey counties. Be available to attend five days of camp. Have not previously participated in Otter Mystery Camp.
Click here for more information and to apply.
BOW SEAT Ocean Awareness Programs
Activating the next wave of ocean leaders through the arts, science, and advocacy.
I had the honor of being awarded the 2018 Bow Seat Advocacy Competition's Gold Award for my No Straw November movement. I have to tell you that I was shocked to receive this award. As you all know, I don't see the ocean on a daily basis, but that doesn't mean it isn't on my mind. When I formed Jr Ocean Guardians to educate the youth on how they can make small changes that make huge impacts on our planet, I never imagined where my journey would take me. I hope that my story inspires people of all ages to make a change and that your zip code doesn't define you. Many thanks to Bow Seat for sharing my message around the world.
Every year, Bow Seat has two competition programs that allow young people to speak up on important issues facing our ocean. The Marine Debris Creative Advocacy Competition challenges students from around the world to design and lead a campaign in their school or community that creatively educates others and inspires action to reduce or prevent marine debris. Campaign examples may include: hosting a film/art/lecture series; creating a community mural; organizing a beach, river, or lake cleanup; and much more!
The Ocean Awareness Contest is the creative arts program and the talent youth ocean activists have is unbelievable. The Ocean Awareness Contest is Bow Seat's international contest that accepts visual art, poetry, prose, film, and music submissions. The talent and creativity of the youth applicants is incredible, please visit their site to see all of the talent that is bringing awareness to the world.
Click here to read about the amazing and creative 2019 Bow Seat Program Winners!
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
As a 2018 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes recipient, I encourage you all to apply. I am very extremely humbled to be included with young heroes making a difference in the world, each story inspires me to #SparkGoodness throughout my life.
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people from diverse backgrounds all across North America. Established in 2001 by author T.A. Barron, the Barron Prize annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment.
Since its inception, the Barron Prize has awarded more than half a million dollars to hundreds of young leaders and has won the support of the National Geographic Education Foundation, Girl Scouts of the USA, and National Youth Leadership Council, among other organizations.
Click here for more details and to apply no later than April 15, 2020 at 5:00 pm MT.
The 2020 Science Without Borders Challenge
International Student Art Contest
The Science Without Borders® Challenge is an international art contest that engages students to promote the need to preserve, protect, and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources.
The Science Without Borders® Challenge was created to get students and teachers interested in ocean conservation through various forms of art. This annual contest inspires students to be creative while learning about important ocean science and conservation issues. The Challenge is open to primary and secondary school students 11-19 years old, with scholarships to the winning entries.
The theme for this year’s Science Without Borders® Challenge is“Take Action: Conserve Coral Reefs.” Throughout the world, coral reefs are rapidly declining and threatened by a variety of factors—both natural and man-made. If nothing is done to save them, many coral reefs will no longer exist as functioning ecosystems by the end of the century.
For this year’s contest, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is asking students to use their artistic talents to create a piece of art that illustrates one or more of the different actions that can be taken to preserve coral reefs. The deadline to enter is Monday, April 20, 2020. Click here for more details and to apply
2020 Brower Youth Award
Winners are recognized for leading their campaigns, projects, and activism in the environmental and social justice movement. Each year, six winners are selected, flown to Berkeley, CA, for the award ceremony, and awarded a 3,000 cash prize. During their stay in California, the recipients will participate in a coaching, visioning, leadership activities, speaking and media engagements. Click here for more details and to apply. Deadline is Friday, May 1, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST.
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