Esther Ng Today Online 21 Jul 11;
SINGAPORE - The Sea Research Foundation, a United States-based non-profit organisation, is collaborating with Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) to jointly develop a marine environmental curriculum for students in South-east Asia.
As part of the three-year agreement, the foundation will work with RWS' new Marine Life Park to bring The JASON Project, a multimedia science programme developed by the National Geographic Society, to the region.
When contacted, a Marine Life Park (MLP) spokesperson told Today: "(The park's) education programme is currently being developed in partnership with Sea Research Foundation. At the initial phase, Mystic Aquarium will be sending its staff to Singapore to assist the Marine Life Park in the development of various education programmes. More details will be shared in due course."
The MLP will become the exclusive manager for The JASON Project in South-east Asia, and the foundation's Mystic Aquarium, known for its marine animal research and husbandry, will develop a comprehensive pre-school to tertiary school programme at the MLP.
In a press release, Sea Research Foundation chief executive Stephen Coan said: "We share a deep commitment to engaging young people and learners of all ages in the importance of marine conservation and the fundamentals of science as a means for understanding the ocean environment."
RWS president and chief executive Tan Hee Teck added: "Our collaboration with Mystic Aquarium and The JASON Project ... will put us in the forefront of science, conservation and education programmes dedicated to our oceans and marine life. These programmes will undoubtedly yield important resources for the students of Singapore and other South-east Asian nations."
Programmes will include "travelling teacher experiences" that will take place in schools, and interpretative and hands-on learning experiences.
