El Dude
New member
Alright, soapbox time!
As stewards of our captive ecosystems and ambassadors to the non-reefing public it is our responsibility to pass on knowledge. Every time I have guests over for a party or gathering (ALL the time) I find myself overwhelmed with questions about my system. Questions from adults and children: What is that? Why is that? Where is it from? Why this? Why that? Etc, etc... Sometimes from adults and sometimes from children.
No matter who it is I always answer every answer ad nauseum. I make sure to mention biodiversity, human impact, resource management and conservation (using age appropriate context and references of course). I always make sure to not overdo my responses, but with children this is impossible to accomplish. Children are literally the future of this planet. If we take our love of the ocean environment and give it to the next generation by answering questions who knows how we can shape, create and inspire the next generation?
So the next time a child asks you questions about your tank, answer them, explain things in a way a child can understand but don't underestimate them! Children can comprehend complex principles and theories, take the time to inspire them. They learn by asking questions and seeing examples(speaking from personal experience as a former teacher). Answer questions and explain to a child what they see in your tank. If they can't understand something the first time, break it down a little until they understand...they won't forget that you took the time to answer them!
So if you take a few minutes to answer a child's questions you WILL impact their life! Let your awe and amazement in our natural world show when you talk to a child. If you speak to 100 curious minds and just one follows through to pursue a future in science, engineering or technology, is'nt your time well spent and your legacy written in their memory? Who knows when a few minutes of your time can shape a child's future for the betterment of our planet?
Always continue to learn. Nurture childrens' curiosity, remember they ARE our future.
Reef on.
Post a picture of your future reefer if you feel the same...
My daughter
My nephew
As stewards of our captive ecosystems and ambassadors to the non-reefing public it is our responsibility to pass on knowledge. Every time I have guests over for a party or gathering (ALL the time) I find myself overwhelmed with questions about my system. Questions from adults and children: What is that? Why is that? Where is it from? Why this? Why that? Etc, etc... Sometimes from adults and sometimes from children.
No matter who it is I always answer every answer ad nauseum. I make sure to mention biodiversity, human impact, resource management and conservation (using age appropriate context and references of course). I always make sure to not overdo my responses, but with children this is impossible to accomplish. Children are literally the future of this planet. If we take our love of the ocean environment and give it to the next generation by answering questions who knows how we can shape, create and inspire the next generation?
So the next time a child asks you questions about your tank, answer them, explain things in a way a child can understand but don't underestimate them! Children can comprehend complex principles and theories, take the time to inspire them. They learn by asking questions and seeing examples(speaking from personal experience as a former teacher). Answer questions and explain to a child what they see in your tank. If they can't understand something the first time, break it down a little until they understand...they won't forget that you took the time to answer them!
So if you take a few minutes to answer a child's questions you WILL impact their life! Let your awe and amazement in our natural world show when you talk to a child. If you speak to 100 curious minds and just one follows through to pursue a future in science, engineering or technology, is'nt your time well spent and your legacy written in their memory? Who knows when a few minutes of your time can shape a child's future for the betterment of our planet?
Always continue to learn. Nurture childrens' curiosity, remember they ARE our future.
Reef on.
Post a picture of your future reefer if you feel the same...
My daughter
My nephew
