 |
| A summer camp at Mystic Aquarium. © Mystic Aquarium. All rights reserved. |
IPM Editor’s note: The Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium and the Marine Life Park opening in 2012 as part of Resort World Sentosa’s 2nd phase of development will include a vast oceanarium with structured education and research programs. This “integrated resort” targets multiple audiences with a remarkable mix of entertainment, education, retail and hospitality including a Universal theme park, a circus, a casino, a convention center and the new marine life complex referred to in this story. — J.R.
Singapore – 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) 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.
About Sea Research Foundation
Sea Research Foundation is based in Mystic, Connecticut, USA and is the parent organization of Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and The JASON Project. A non-governmental, mission oriented organization, it is focused on marine research, conservation, exploration and education. Sea Research Foundation and National Geographic Society, also a non-governmental mission oriented organization, work jointly in developing and implementing The JASON Project science program throughout the world.
About Mystic Aquarium
Mystic Aquarium is a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, and is counted among the nation’s leading aquariums with more than 300 species and an extensive collection of marine mammals, including New England’s only beluga whales. Mystic Aquarium has been a pioneer in offering guests a variety of up close encounters with a wide range of marine animals. The mission of Sea Research Foundation is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration. www.mysticaquarium.org www.searesearch.org.
About The JASON Project
A non-profit subsidiary of the National Geographic Society, The JASON Project works with NOAA, NASA, the Smithsonian Institution and other leading organizations to develop inquiry-based science curricula and professional development. The JASON Project was founded in 1989 by Dr. Robert Ballard, the oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence best known for his discovery of RMS Titanic and who today serves as The JASON Project’s chairman and chief scientist. http://www.jason.org/public/whatis/start.aspx.
About Resorts World Sentosa
Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Singapore’s first integrated resort, is located on the resort island of Sentosa. Spanning 49 hectares, the resort has welcomed over 15 million visitors since it opened in January 2010. RWS is home to the region’s first-and-only Universal Studios theme park, a casino, four luxury hotels, the Resorts World Convention Centre, celebrity chef restaurants as well as specialty retail outlets. The resort also offers entertainment ranging from its resident theatrical circus spectacular, Voyage de la Vie, to public attractions such as the Crane Dance and the Lake of Dreams. RWS is wholly owned by Genting Singapore, a company of the Genting Group. http://www.rwsentosa.com.
