STAR Kids Celebrate World Ocean Day
STAR Kids Celebrate World Ocean Day
With the help of STAR, over 1000 children visited Nicholas Canyon Beach to celebrate World Ocean Day. The children were greeted by staff from STAR Education, the STAR ECO Station, and STAR Prep Academy, along with members of the Chumash Tribe, a Native American people who have lived in a symbiotic relationship with the sea for thousands of years. Some of these students had never even seen the ocean before. This was a day they all will never forget.
STAR Kids and Members of the Chumash Tribe Celebrate on the Beach
Students rotated through various learning stations run by STAR. They learned about the interdependence of aquatic creatures, developed an understanding of the disturbance to the natural order caused by trash flowing into the ocean, and participated in an in-depth analysis of what might be done to stop it. Everyone was thrilled by a Coast Guard helicopter that performed a flyover to acknowledge the efforts of both students and teachers to protect the waters they patrol every day.
Luis, a STAR student at Nora Sterry Elementary, expressed the matter simply. “If we don’t take care of the ocean we will kill the animals that live in it,” Luis said. “Then we’ll have no fish to eat.”
Mati Waiya, the Chumash ceremonial leader, performed traditional dances with several other members of the tribe, and spoke with students about Chumash tradition and the importance of keeping our oceans clean.
Mati Waiya and Another Chumash Tribesman Perform a Traditonal Dance
“In the time of our Chumash ancestors, there was abundance and the world was flourishing,” Waiya said. “Their spirits inhabit this sacred ground. I know those spirits smile today as they see us take children by the hand and tell them of a time when an ancient people co-existed with nature and maintained a balance. “
Raniyah, a STAR student at Loyola Village elementary, took the message to heart. “Now that I know trash can go into the ocean, I’m never going to litter again,” Raniyah said. “I’m going to pick up trash and put it where it belongs.”
Mati Waiya, the Chumash leader, trumpeted the importance of doing all that we can to clean the waters that cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface, not for our sake, but for the sake of the next generation. “The ocean belongs to all of us,” Waiya said. “It is the birth right of every child. We must invest ourselves in a future we will never see, but one that all of our children deserve.”
The Sun Sets Over the Pacific After a Day of Learning and Laughter
STAR Education and the STAR ECO Station remain tirelessly devoted to our mission of Preservation through Education, as we excite young minds and inspire the youth to think and act positively to make the world a better, cleaner place. By teaching children about ancient cultures who respected the Earth, and by exposing them to the modern problems (and solutions!) the world now faces, STAR fosters a new generation of leaders who can literally save the planet.
Green Hallow’s Eve Enchants All
On Saturday, October 30th and Sunday, October 31st, thousands of children and their families were thrilled and chilled when the STAR ECO Station converted into a magical fairy tale palace, infused with the wonder of Dr. Seuss. Visitors discovered buried treasures in the mysterious water of the Pirates of Oceania and learned the advantages of eco-friendly-fueled vehicles amidst the forest magic of Little Red Riding Hood. Even Cinderella was on hand – at least until her hybrid turned into a pumpkin!
The Cat In The Hat – Full of Joy…and Mischief!“It was the most awesome day,” said Jack, a third-grader at Roscomare Elementary. “Everything was so cool, and I found out a lot about how to help the environment.
Two Adorable Creatures Pose With The Mario Brothers!A STAR parent echoed that sentiment. “It’s amazing what STAR does here every year – they create this spectacular series of fairy tale rules, and the kids have a great time while they learn how to help save the planet! I wish STAR did this every weekend!”
A Native American Warrior Princess Dances With A Snake!While STAR only hosts its Enchanted Green Hallow’s Eve once a year, we work day in and day out to see that all STAR students receive the highest-quality and most innovative education. We also develop a deep and abiding interest in learning how to save the planet, through the ECO Station’s mission of preservation through education. Come by STAR ECO station any weekend of the year for an eye-opening visit with our rescued exotic wildlife and entertaining, interactive lessons in environmental science.
Costumed Kids Play And Learn How To Save The Earth!Children’s Earth Day 2010 – The Best Ever!
The Crowd Cheers As STAR Kids Celebrate Joyfully!
This year’s STAR ECO Station Earth Day celebration was our most well-attended and successful event ever, with close to 25,000 children and their families enjoying food, fun, and friendly ways to help save the planet. From kids getting a chance to operate a real recycling truck, to eco-games that had our staff dunked again and again in (re-usable) water, to dozens of toe-tapping, hand-clapping student performers and musicians who kept everyone bouncing to the beat, all of us were united in joyful dedication to this green and blue planet we call home. As one STAR parent wrote to us the very next day: “I could not let another moment go by without saying how much of a good time I had…it was a pleasure being there in the midst of a sea of people, all there for one great cause!”
World Famous Actor and Environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. Joins In The Celebration!
Big-name celebrities and politicians also graced the stage to applaud our efforts, and while we’re still crunching the numbers, we know beyond a doubt we helped to raise a sizable sum that will go toward protecting the environment. Thank you to all of those who volunteered, who visited, and who shared with us the positivity we’ll need to ensure that the world endures long after we’re gone. As we move forward, let’s do all we can to make every day Earth Day!
STAR ECO Station Children’s Earth Day – Sunday, April 25, 2010!
Our 10th annual STAR ECO Station Children’s Earth Day celebration promises to be the best yet, with over 20,000 participants expected to attend! Kids and their families can play cool eco-games, create environmentally conscious arts and crafts, sample delicious organic cuisine, meet real-life environmental heroes and enjoy live entertainment and surprise celebrity guests! The celebration also brings together a wide variety of eco-friendly organizations to show the families of Southern California that they are a vital part of a larger, worldwide environmental effort. Admission is free!
The event takes place on Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the STAR ECO Station, 10101 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City. Tours inside our world-renowned STAR ECO Station, an environmental museum and exotic wildlife rescue facility cost five dollars.
We hope all of you will join us for a good time and a great cause!
Kids Party With Recycle Rex At Last Year’s Earth Day Celebration!
6th Annual Trash to Treasure Fair
At an event that would have turned Oscar the Grouch even greener with envy, STAR spun gold out of garbage this weekend as we celebrated America Recycles Day 2009 with our 6th annual Trash to Treasure Super Green Recycling Fair. About 150 kids and their parents attended the event at the STAR ECO Station, many of them decked out in Superhero outfits constructed from recycled materials that would make Superman look shabby.
We gave away 3 iPods (courtesy of Esperanza Dental Supply) for the best Superhero costumes. We also received all sorts of recyclables, from ink jet cartridges to cell phones to batteries. Thanks to all those who came out to show their support and to learn more about the importance of recycling– the day wouldn’t have been as super without each and every one of you!
Look out Wonder Woman and Supergirl - there are some new Green super heroines on the block!
When life gives you trash, make trash top hats!
Instead of allowing trash to endanger wildlife, we created wildlife out of trash!