When Students Have Access, Discovery Happens
This summer, Chris—a 5th grader from Euclid Elementary—was one of many students who explored science in a whole new way at Ocean Discovery.
With the guidance of passionate teachers and the support of new friends, Chris dove into a week full of discovery. “We’ve been learning about pollution, ocean animals, and how to help keep the ocean clean,” he said. “We read a story about Finn the fish. In the story, Finn saw his friend eating plastic. It made him realize how important it was to keep the ocean clean and protect the place he calls home.”
Chris’s experience wasn’t just about facts—it was about connection. He explored marine anatomy during a shark dissection (“It smelled bad but was fun!”), investigated how pollution travels through watersheds, and even hiked into the canyon to remove trash, learning how these local spaces are connected to the ocean and the animals that depend on them.
But what stood out most? The people.
“I made a lot of friends,” Chris shared. “Learning science with them made me excited to come back every day. And our teachers—Miss Diana and Miss Madeline—they were the greatest ever.”
Chris described how Miss Diana’s kindness and patience helped him feel safe and supported while learning. “If our teachers weren’t here tomorrow, I’d be really sad,” he said. “They teach us things we’ve never learned before. They make it fun.”
Chris’s story is just one example of what happens when students have access to opportunity, where learning is hands-on, teachers are deeply compassionate, and science feels exciting and personal.
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