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AVSC YOUTH PROGRAMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY An important part of AVSC's mission is to develop and provide educational experiences that promote awareness and appreciation of diving and the aquatic environment. The club has been active in providing avenues for youth to explore and develop new skills through scuba. AVSC initiated programs in 2001 and 2002 in partnership with the St. Alban's Congregational Church and the Roy Wilkins Recreational Center in Queens, NY. Through their sponsorship and with the support of a grant from the N.Y. Department of Youth and Community Development, AVSC dive instructors and dive masters were able to teach youth basic water skills and offer a six week scuba certification program. During the summers of 2004 and 2005, AVSC partnered with the EXPLORE! Queens Bridge to Medicine program at York College to offer a two week summer enrichment program to provide students with new experiences in marine and environmental sciences, and introduce them to the fundamental scientific concepts and skills in the sport of scuba. As part of the curriculum developed by AVSC and the EXPLORE! faculty, the youth participated in a "Discover Scuba" class. Students were introduced to the physics and chemistry concepts fundamental to scuba diving and experienced the use of underwater breathing apparatus during a two hour pool session. A special "Discover Scuba" session was held for the parents prior to the start of the program with great success. The first week of the program focused on environmental science and laboratory and field research. During the second week, the Aquatic Voyagers sponsored a visit to the Marine Sciences Research Center at Stony Brook University, where students learned about the coastal environment of Long Island and New York City.The students accompanied researchers on the Seawolf, the university's laboratory at sea. The program culminated with a weekend trip to Project Oceanology at the University of Connecticut, Avery Point. The weekend included fun, hands-on events and activities to stimulate interest and awareness of the ocean environment, including a chance to check out a variety of marine animals and to utilize marine instruments to sample the ocean waters and floor. We continue to expand our outreach through offering "Discover Scuba" programs to youth and adults and promoting scuba through educational and civic organizations in the NY metropolitan area. Click on image to enlarge
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