2023 Winners

Congratulations to our 2023 Educator Innovation Award winners!

We are thrilled to recognize the following teachers who effectively used the 2023 Ocean Awareness Contest to educate their students about the climate crisis, offer their students a sense of agency in these uncertain times, and empower them to be creative stewards of our blue planet.

Thank you for your dedication and passion for engaging youth in environmental action!

Ozge Bekmezci

English Language Teacher
Manisa Bahcesehir College Science & Technology High School (Turkey)

As a teacher at a STEM-focused school, Ozge wanted to challenge her students to build on their theoretical knowledge of climate change. She encouraged them to leverage their creative hobbies as a way to forge a personal connection with the environmental concerns facing our world. She also collaborated with other teachers and local environmental organizations to organize field trips, workshops, presentations, and collaborative projects to expose her students to real-world issues and establish a sense of community and shared responsibility for the environment.

“Witnessing my students passionately dive into the tasks according to their talents was inspiring. The Contest provided a global platform for my students, extending the reach of their work beyond the classroom and instilling a sense of responsibility as stewards of our planet. This award is a recognition of our students’ voices and their potential to contribute to positive change.”

Katrina Boyum

English & Reading Teacher
Florence School (Florence, South Dakota)

Katrina recognizes that ocean conservation topics can seem far-removed from her students’ daily lives in a land-locked state, so she uses autobiographies to introduce these subjects. By reading the personal stories of young sailors who attempted to circumnavigate the globe, her students learned how these teenagers’ dreams reflect their upbringing on the water. They studied each new climate, ecosystem, and culture the sailors experienced. They then used the writing skills learned in class, along with their newfound knowledge of ocean scientists and climate issues, to create and submit a submission for the Contest.

“We live in South Dakota, far from the ocean, but we do live among the five Glacial Lakes of the Dakotas. Through their knowledge and interest in local ecosystems and the wildlife that depends on them, many students develop a scientific curiosity of ecological and climate issues. I try to find ways to extend this interest to the oceans, showing students that the same functions and systems of plant and animal life occur in the vast oceans as in our local waterways. This Contest was a great way for me to bring those ideas right to the students.”

Esther Kim

Biology Teacher
Annandale High School (Annandale, Virginia)

The Contest was used as the focal point for Esther’s project-based learning lesson on human impacts. The students she works with have a diverse range of needs – many are special education students who are also English-language learner identified, and the majority live at or below the poverty line. Students who lacked English skills were still able to convey their understanding of pollution through art; students who struggled to contextualize content were able to explain topics through poetry or video. Every student could take ownership of their work and had different creative takes on the information they gathered for the project.

“I loved the Contest’s theme. Students of this particular socio-economic class are less likely to know or search out climate heroes who they can relate to. This project forced them to find people like them. It encouraged and empowered them knowing that there are others like them leading the charge in small and big ways.”

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Angela Smith

English Teacher
Freelancer (Global)

Angela is a freelance English and Creative Writing Teacher who works with students from all over the world. Over the last several years, she has developed creative writing curriculums that show young people how to use the written word for change, impact, and purpose; and why learning to write effective, rhetorical prose is so fundamentally important to participating in the world around us. Angela dedicates 4-5 weeks of lessons and drafting to the Contest.

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“I have found in my work with young people recently that their self-esteems have really suffered from the pandemic and social media. But the Contest has been a big step in helping them see just how powerful they are. Thank you for this opportunity to show my students tangible evidence of the important of learning and using our writing skills. The added bonus? It was fun! My students had a great time.”

Dongling Yao

Youth Social Practice Instructor
Wise Love Organization (China)

For Dongling, the Contest was an ideal platform to kindle her students’ interest in diverse forms of artistic expression, deepen their understanding of environmental issues, and facilitate the exploration of their unique perspectives. She ensured a multifaceted learning journey for her students by bringing in in experts from various fields, including older students who were already engaged in environmental protection activities and a professional video director to help students understand the nuances of storytelling in the context of filmmaking. In addition to creating their Contest submission, the students designed posters, badges, and advocacy campaigns, eventually launching a community awareness initiative that not only reinforced their learning but also helped them understand the real-world impact of their actions.

“Over seven years of guiding youth in social practice have deepened my belief that education is not only about imparting knowledge; it is crucial to instill a sense of social responsibility and problem-solving skills in young minds. The Contest played a significant role in this effort, enabling my students to explore and express their concerns about environmental issues in innovative ways, and empowering them to utilize their talents and skills to make a positive impact in their community.”

2023 Bay State Educator Award

This special recognition celebrates a teacher who exemplifies creativity and stewardship in their work with young people in Massachusetts. The award package includes a $500 classroom grant.

Nicolette Pocius

Science Teacher
John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics & Science (Roxbury)

Every year, Nicolette uses the Contest as a final project for her AP Environmental Science students. She notices that many of them lose motivation after the exam, especially since they are Seniors. However, the unique and creative nature of the Contest keeps many of her students engaged.

“I have loved the ocean for as long as I can remember, and I studied Marine & Freshwater Biology in college. I try to instill my appreciation for the ocean and all it does for us in my students, which can be challenging in an urban environment. However, through programs like Bow Seat’s Contest, I can expand my students’ awareness about environmental issues and help them feel connected to nature.”