September 27th, 2021
Celebrating 18 Years with an Entire Month of Virtual Family Fun and Education
This year’s family-friendly Ocean Fun Days event will once again take place virtually starting this Friday October 1st and run for the entire month of October! Join New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and our partners as we celebrate 18 years of ocean discovery, coastal stewardship and energy conservation.
Online video presentations from over 30 exhibitors will provide eco-friendly fun focused on ocean discovery, coastal stewardship and energy conservation. Several presentations provide fascinating information about some of our most important local animals, including horseshoe crabs, eels, and sharks. There will also be informative videos on micro-plastics, saving energy and water, and the environment.
In addition, new LIVE presentations this year will feature topics from NJSGC educators such as diamondback terrapins, horseshoe crabs and ocean swimming safety. Teachers, parents, and students alike join new LIVE presentations, presented by NJ Sea Grant Consortium instructors. Click the links below to register:
- October 1, 10 a.m. Terrific Terrapins: Meet New Jersey’s estuarine turtles, the Northern Diamondback Terrapin, in this fun program that teaches students why these animals are so unique and important to our coastal ecosystems. In this presentation participants will discover this reptile’s adaptations, anatomy, habitat, and virtually meet a real Northern Diamondback Terrapin. Visitors and students will also learn about the impacts humans on terrapin populations. This 45-60 minute program is suitable for all ages especially grades K-6. Watch the webinar recording here.
- October 6, 11 a.m. Horseshoe Crabs: Learn about these amazing East Coast natives with NJSGC educators as they take you on a virtual trip through the life of this “living fossil” species that has lived on Earth for more than 400 million years! Do you know why their blood is blue or what their telson is used for? Find out during this engaging presentation that touches on horseshoe crab anatomy, their role in the marine ecosystem and how they are helpful to humans. This 60-minute webinar is suitable for all ages, especially children in grades K-8. Watch the webinar recording here.
- October 30, 1 p.m. Sharks vs Rip Currents – a Most “Spooktacular” Comparison: Just in time for Halloween, NJSGC educators will share the mysteries of two ocean “inhabitants”: rip currents and sharks. While both can seem frightening, the more information you know will give you a better chance of keeping safe around them. Learn how to avoid rip currents and what to do if you get caught in one. Also, discover how likely you are to ‘meet’ a shark and how all their adaptations make them important apex predators. This 60-minute webinar is suitable for all ages.
Bring #OceanFunDays into your classroom! There are also many online resources and activities. Teachers, and students alike are invited to dive in and join the fun by visiting OceanFunDays.org for #OceanFunDays2021 on October 1st.
September 9th, 2021
Thank you to Investors Foundation for continuing their support of New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s (NJSGC) efforts in promoting the “Ocean Hazards and Beach Safety” Rip Current Awareness Program.
Jodie-Ann McDonald and Lauren Johns (from left) of Investors Bank present grant award to (from right) Diana Burich, Director of Education, Debra Burd, Fiscal Officer and Deborah Quinn, Office Manager.
This $2,500 grant will continue to directly support NJSGC’s interactive “Ocean Hazards and Beach Safety” outreach presentation, which will now be offered at no charge to schools, libraries, community and other groups throughout Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties from now through June 2021.
***Given the current situation, we are now presenting this program virtually through Zoom or Google Meets video conferencing. For more information, please contact NJSGC’s Education Department at Reservations@njseagrant.org.***
“According to the National Weather Service, approximately 100 people drown in rip currents in the U.S. on an annual basis. While NJ’s lifeguards do a fantastic job of keeping beachgoers safe, it is very important for swimmers themselves to know about potential rip currents and how to handle themselves if they should be accidentally caught in one. This program teaches people about the importance of swimming safely in the ocean in a way that is easy to understand and fun to learn, and this funding makes it more accessible to the general public.”
– Diana Burich, NJSGC Director of Education
Please click here to learn more about NJSGC’s Rip Current Awareness program. We also offer these educational resources and materials.
About Investors Bank
Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With over $25 billion in assets and a network of more than 150 retail branches, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors Bank’s services include complete deposit, loan and cash management products for consumers and businesses. Investors Bank. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.
About the Investors Foundation
Investors Bank created the Investors Foundation in 2005 to support the communities Investors Bank serves. Investors Foundation supports initiatives in the arts, youth development, health and human services, education and affordable housing. Investors Foundation works to improve the lives of its customers and neighbors.
For more information, please click here.
