Coasting on Ocean Empowerment

Benjamin Kay, a science teacher at Santa Monica High School, has won a Sponsor Recognition Award for his contribution to the 2016 Ocean Awareness Student Contest, sponsored by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs (Bow Seat.) Kay, who was selected based on nominations from his students, will receive a $750 cash award.
The 2016 Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Student Contest challenged students to create visual art, poetry, prose, or film around the theme of “Making Meaning out of Ocean Pollution” to communicate the connections between human activities and our oceans’ deteriorating health. Students who entered the Contest were required to enlist the support of an adult sponsor. After submitting their entries, students were encouraged to nominate sponsors who helped to change their lives and the world for the better.
“We aim to empower students to think creatively about solutions to ocean pollution,” said Linda Cabot, Founder and President of Bow Seat. “We believe that students who learn by ‘creating’ experience deeper learning and longer-lasting behavior change. We appreciate Benjamin’s efforts to inspire, empower, and engage his students in environmental awareness, ocean activism, and the arts – Bow Seat could not do what we’re doing without the help of sponsors like Benjamin.”
“Bow Seat is providing such critical outlets for student expression and educational outreach at a time when ecosystems are being rapidly degraded and sustainability training is lacking in our school systems,” said Kay. “I’m so proud and energized to see students tackle these tough issues using multimedia as a means to raise individual and community awareness. Their works play a huge role in establishing solutions to the environmental, socio-political, and economic challenges before us. I’m deeply honored to receive this surprise recognition.”