A group of 11th grade students at Todd Beamer High School was awarded an honorable mention and a $250 cash prize for their entry in the From the Bow Seat’s 2014 Ocean Awareness student contest.

For the past three years, From the Bow Seat’s annual contest has asked students to consider major ocean issues ranging from the plight of the right whale, to seabird restoration projects, to the role of forage fish.  In 2014, students examined the causes and consequences of plastic pollution in our oceans. Projects ranged from essays and stories exploring the cause of plastic pollution to sculptures and dresses crafted completely out of discarded beach plastics.

The student group comprised of Julia Ann Cook, Michelle Dong and Delcine Hackley made a project focused on sea turtles and plastic pollution in oceans. They created a mixed media mosaic that represented the detrimental effects of plastic in the oceans.

“In preparation for our mosaic, we visited a handful of local reclamation stores in Seattle, Washington and purchased materials that support the recycling process,” the students wrote. “From the beginning, our goal was to represent every creature affected by ocean pollution and so we decided to use a sea turtle as the focal point.

“Through our choice of mixed media using recycled tiles, plastics and glass, we hope to shine a new light on the destructive actions of human beings and provide motivation to become a catalyst for positive change.”

This year, From the Bow Seat, a national environmental education nonprofit, challenged students to consider the growing international problem of ocean plastic pollution through art, advocacy and essay projects. The nonprofit gave out more than $27,500 in prize money to students, teachers and schools.

“Our goal is to engage students in issues facing the oceans,” said founder Linda Cabot. “We are working with students, teachers and other organizations to bring these issues to light through the integration of art and science.

The Beamer students had also all participated in Jamie Sproul’s AP Environmental Science class.

“After the AP Exam in early May, my students spend five weeks on a final project,” Sproul said. “I have designed this final project to be a service-based project in which the students choose a topic we have learned about during the year. Last year, I had a few groups of students choose, as a part of their final project, to participate in a nationwide contest focused on awareness of ocean pollution. Although it is important for me that my students leave my class with an in-depth knowledge of environmental science, I think it is extremely important for them to also leave with the understanding that they can make a difference going into the future.”

Through the contest, From the Bow Seat hopes to encourage STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) education, which emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to learning and engaging students. The 2015 Ocean Awareness Contest will run through June 2015. Visit www.fromthebowseat.org for more information.