Students at charter school dive into ocean studies

When Pamela Tanner became the executive director of Westside Atlanta Charter School, she was eager to integrate her passion for scuba diving into the school curriculum, leading to the creation of the Ocean Stewards Program. In collaboration with Kelli Edwards, a water quality expert, they designed an after-school series grounded in ocean literacy principles and aligned with Georgia’s educational standards. “We wanted students to understand how oceans impact weather, climate, and life,” Tanner explained. Funded by a $20,000 grant from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the program engaged students in hands-on activities, scientific experiments, and field trips to the Georgia Aquarium and coastal science centers. With strong interest and positive feedback, Tanner plans to share the curriculum with other educators to enhance science education.