From 2006-2007, I taught science at the Deep Creek Middle School on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. DCMS is a private school supported mainly by generous donors and founded by The Island School in 2001.
While I was there, filmmaker (+scientist +artist +educator) Jennifer Galvin was working on a documentary film about the island's youth and their relationship to the sea. She was focusing on the phenomenon of how over 80% of Bahamians cannot swim despite living in a location where proximity to the water is never more than half a mile. In science class, I tried to connect as many lessons as I could to the place we lived. The sea was a source of endless intrigue and many kids harbored misconceptions that led to fear of the water. I feel fortunate to have been a teacher there. And teaching marine science was my favorite.
Advisory swimming trip to the Gully Hole
P.E. class at Wemyss Bight beach
To learn more about Jen and her projects, including her book We, Sea, which highlights many former and current students' photographs and poems, check out reelblue.net and freeswimmovie.com.
AND, if you're unable to view the film at any of the international film festivals where it's being featured (!), you can watch it streaming here: (but I suggest going to cultureunplugged.com for a larger-sized video)
P.S. I have a little commentary at 42:39 and cameo at 43:24.
:-)
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