WAVE Foundation

1 Aquarium Way
Newport, KY 41071

Outrea ch Education

Funding from the Charles H. Dater Foundation provided outreach conservation education at schools, day cares, libraries, community events, summer camps, senior centers, and anywhere WAVE Foundation can share the amazing aquatic world and the importance of conservation. In 2023, WAVE provided engaging programming for 27,162 community learners. 119 free programs were provided through the Community Outreach Scholarship Fund (COSF) for almost 5000 children! That's 5000 students who mostly have never been to the ocean or even visited Newport Aquarium. Below are quotes from teachers that tell the stories better than a WAVE Staff member ever could:

"The experience (of a WAVE outreach education program) provided a context that they have never had within their lives. Being able to see the animal ambassadors and learn about how they can help with conservation is be something that is highly impactful to them, and creates life-long memories. Additionally, it supports the learning in their classes, so that they are able to have schema with topics that, before the program, were foreign to them."

"This program brought an educational enrichment experience to our students whose families are not able to provide such opportunities! Having opportunities to have real-world encounters and being exposed to different programs & cultural experiences creates lasting memories for our students. The impact benefits them as they understand and learn about things outside of "their city, their county, their world". We are very grateful for your assistance in providing this opportunity for our students."

"WAVE's program give students an opportunity to see animals and have discussions that might not be possible for them. Students get so excited for the experience seeing these animals and this stirs a desire for some students to want to work with animals one day!"

"The WAVE on Wheels program gave our students an experience they have never had before. Many of our students come from a diverse background and may not have the ability to see animals that live in different parts of the world again. We learn about them in school but seeing something and knowing about them are very different. I want our students to have the best experience in school and to gain a love for learning that would follow them throughout their educational journey. I want our preschoolers to know that what we learn in school has real world impacts. Learning about animals that live in or near large bodies of water also teaches them that we have a responsibility to take care our surroundings. The WAVE on Wheels program solidifies their learning and provides them with an experience that they will carry on the rest of their lives."

"As the Youth Service Librarians at Avondale Branch Library, we are incredibly thankful for this grant and the WAVE on Wheels Penguin Assembly that it provided our youth customers. Since many younger youth customers in our community are unfamiliar with flora and fauna found outside of their neighborhood, this was a great opportunity for them to observe new animals up close and in-person.
Thanks to the structure provided by the WAVE presenters, participating youth were highly motivated to engage with the program and follow all guidelines so that our penguin friend would feel comfortable coming out to visit. Seeing the penguin in-person also sparked plenty of scientific curiosity, leading to questions about how penguins live every day at the aquarium and in the wild.
Overall, the program was a huge success and many of the kids immediately asked when the WAVE staff could come back. They also expressed an interest in getting to meet other wildlife at the library including snakes and sharks. We hope to capitalize and build on this interest by seeking out additional opportunities, including (hopefully) bringing WAVE back to Avondale."

WAVE is grateful for the 11 years of support from Dater Foundation. Together, we are making a huge difference in the lives of children in Greater Cincinnati.

Website: http://www.wavefoundation.org
Amount: $25,000
Date: July 2023