Resorts World Sentosa's Marine Life Park develops education programme

Sea Research Foundation and Resorts World Sentosa Ink a Multi-Faceted Agreement to Bring Mystic Aquarium Expertise and The JASON Project Science Programs to Asia
Agreement will focus on developing education programs for Resorts World Sentosa’s Marine Life Park located in Singapore
Business Wire 18 Jul 11;

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sea Research Foundation, which oversees The JASON Project science programs in collaboration with the National Geographic Society, has entered into an agreement with Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Singapore’s first integrated resort, to jointly develop a marine environmental curriculum for students in Southeast Asia. Contents of the curriculum will be drawn from Sea Research Foundation’s Mystic Aquarium, distinguished for its marine animal research and husbandry expertise.

As part of the three-year agreement, Sea Research Foundation, a global leader in marine research, deep-sea exploration and hands-on education, and the National Geographic Society will join forces with RWS’ new Marine Life Park (MLP) in Singapore to bring the award-winning JASON Project science programs to students in the region. The MLP will become the exclusive manager for The JASON Project in Southeast Asia, and Mystic Aquarium will assist in developing comprehensive pre-school to tertiary school programs at the new MLP.

The JASON Project is an internationally acclaimed multi-media science program that works collaboratively with schools and teachers to create hands-on and multi-media learning experiences in classrooms. The JASON Project was developed by the National Geographic Society and is now managed by Sea Research Foundation in collaboration with the National Geographic Society.

“Set to be a world-class park with a strong focus on education, research and stewardship, we are honored to be working with RWS and its MLP,” Dr. Stephen Coan, president and CEO of Sea Research Foundation 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.”

Mr. Tan Hee Teck, president and CEO of RWS, said: “We are very committed to research and education, and this focus is paramount as we move toward completing and opening our new Aquarium and the MLP. Our collaboration with Mystic Aquarium and The JASON Project – both globally renowned entities of the Sea Research Foundation - as well as the well-respected National Geographic Society, will put us in the forefront of science, conservation and education programs dedicated to our oceans and marine life. These programs will undoubtedly yield important resources for the students of Singapore and other Southeast Asian nations.”

Programs will include travelling teacher experiences that will take place in schools, on-property education programs, and interpretative and hands-on learning experiences.

The MLP and Sea Research Foundation will also collaborate on various biological research programs. Sea Research Foundation specializes in studying the immune systems of marine mammals and the correlation between marine mammal immune response to human health issues. The MLP team of veterinarians, marine mammal specialists and curators will provide additional expertise and support to expand such research.