2024 Winners

Congratulations to our 2024 Educator Innovation Award winners!

We are thrilled to recognize the following teachers who effectively used the 2024 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!

Umi Nadiroh Kudori

Natural Sciences Teacher
Sekolah Menengah Pertama (SMP) Yayasan Sama (Sama Foundation Junior High School) (Indonesia)

Umi brought the Contest into her classroom by adopting content from Bow Seat’s Resource Studio into her curriculum, replacing one that was inadequate, inaccurate, and not comprehensive in discussing climate change issues. Being from a community experiencing catastrophic sea level rise, Umi wanted to give her students as much information and knowledge as possible about climate change so they could best deal with it.

“Before this, we and all members of our community only worked alone without anyone else caring about us in the midst of our destruction due to climate change. Now, on the ruins of our destruction, the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs has enchanted us into a phoenix that flies as high as possible to welcome the brightest future for our community. Thank you very much Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs!”

Keren-happuch Garba

Program Coordinator
ECWA School Wusasa (Nigeria)

Keren-happuch led a series of weekly workshops where she taught students about climate change and its environmental impacts. She introduced the Ocean Awareness Contest to them as a way to share their climate stories through art. Being from a rural and landlocked area in Nigeria, Keren-happuch’s students had little prior knowledge about climate change and the oceans. Through these workshops and participating in the Contest, she found that her students increased their knowledge about climate and ocean issues.

“I am beyond honoured to be selected for an Educator Innovation Award. I enjoyed the opportunity to bring this contest to my students. This has shaped my work and experience as a climate advocate and I hope that more young people will be motivated to create positive solutions to environmental issues.”

Eduardo Ezequiel Soria

Art Teacher
Escuela Experimental ProA con Énfasis en Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (Argentina)

Eduardo used the Ocean Awareness Contest to inspire his students to combine creative expression with climate advocacy, building on their interest and past success in environmental-themed competitions. He collaborated with teachers across subjects, integrating research, discussions, and interdisciplinary projects to deepen students’ understanding of climate change. By making participation optional and encouraging peer motivation, Eduardo fostered a supportive environment that gradually involved more students. His efforts not only empowered students to create impactful art but also established a lasting tradition of environmental awareness and creativity within the school.

“I think that winning this award means that it is not impossible to be recognized if you work hard at your goal. And it will be an example for my students that it is not in vain to dedicate time and energy to a competition, even though in our country the possibility of winning a prize seems remote, if you believe in your abilities and try, you will be closer to achieving it.”

Dr. Pratibha Singh

Biology Teacher, HOD Science & Green School Program Coordinator
Navy Children School, Karwar (India)

Dr. Singh leveraged the Ocean Awareness Contest to deepen her students’ understanding of ocean conservation and inspire environmental stewardship. She incorporated ocean-related topics into her lessons, used WhatsApp to share videos with students and parents, and facilitated discussions to expand the impact of her efforts. She has engaged her students in poster-making, poetry-writing, quizzes, and beach clean-ups.

“Reflecting on this honour bring up feelings of pride and validation, as it will signify me recognition from my peers and community highlighting the value of my work. I am also feeling motivated to continue exploring innovative practices and to share my insights with others, empowering both students and fellow educators.”

Caroline Chiu

Art Teacher & Program Coordinator
C.C. Arts & Crafts Studio (United States)

Caroline introduced the Ocean Awareness Contest as a transformative learning opportunity, encouraging her students to combine art with environmental storytelling. By drawing inspiration from the effects of climate change on San Francisco, students explored interdisciplinary themes through research and creative expression, blending art, social studies, and science. Caroline personalized their learning with tailored drawing schedules and guided them in experimenting with diverse materials like UV resin, clay, and even trash, resulting in authentic, environmentally themed artwork. This project heightened students’ environmental awareness, nurtured their creativity, and deepened their understanding of climate change’s local and global impacts.

“I feel incredibly honored that the efforts my students and I put in together have been recognized. This achievement further motivates me to continue guiding and encouraging my current and future students to learn about and engage with ocean conservation issues. Through art competitions, they can express their ideas and showcase their amazing artwork, making a meaningful contribution to raising awareness about the ocean environment.”

2024 Bay State Educator Award

This special recognition celebrates a teacher (in this case, a group of teachers!) who exemplifies creativity and stewardship in their work with young people in Massachusetts. The award package includes a $250 classroom grant.

Rebecca Maynard

Co-Advisor
Framingham High School Environmental Awareness Club (Framingham)

Emily Rathmell
Co-Advisor
Framingham High School Environmental Awareness Club (Framingham)
Katie Lee Mansfield

Art Teacher
Framingham High School (Framingham)

Led by Rebecca Maynard, Emily Rathmell, and Katie Lee Mansfield, Framingham High School’s Environmental Awareness Club collaborated with the Art Department to create an immersive art installation highlighting critical climate issues. Over five months, 53 students researched topics like coral bleaching and invasive species, using recycled materials to design large-scale sculptures, murals, and interactive exhibits. The exhibition educated the Framingham community, including fifth graders who visited through district-sponsored field trips, sparking dialogue and inspiring younger students to become environmental advocates. With widespread community support, media coverage, and plans to share their model with other educators, the project demonstrated the transformative power of art in fostering climate awareness and action.

“Being selected for the Educator Innovation Award is an incredible honor, especially because it celebrates the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. This year, I had the unique opportunity to partner with science teachers, merging our fields to challenge both ourselves and our students to think creatively and critically. It was inspiring to see students bring scientific concepts to life through visual storytelling, sculpture, and interactive pieces. Visitors to the exhibition didn’t just learn about these topics – they experienced them through thought-provoking art. I am deeply grateful for the recognition of this work.”

– Katie Lee Mansfield