Rylie H., a first-year Sci-Tech camper and a rising 6th grader, #LivedHer6 this summer by showing kavod (respect) to the ocean through her mask recycling box project!
When Rylie heard about the Marine Science workshop at Sci-Tech, she said she knew this was the place for her. She has been passionate about marine science and protecting animals for as long as she could remember, and Sci-Tech provided a space to explore what she loves.
During the pre-camp orientation, Rylie learned about the mask policy at camp for Summer 2021 due to COVID-19. She knew that the disposable masks kept campers and staff safe, but feared that all the disposable masks would wind up in the ocean! Looking back, Rylie said “I thought about the animals,” and knew she needed to do something about it!
Rylie combined her love for marine science, drawing, and sustainability to raise money to purchase a recycling bin for disposable masks for her dorm by drawing and painting pictures of marine animals (like the seahorse and turtle featured on this blog!) and selling them online and to friends and family. On Opening Day, she presented it to her hall and taught her friends how to recycle masks properly for the safety of marine animals like one of her favorites, sea turtles! Her hall was so incredibly impressed and excited about the initiative and her instructor, Lauren (who has an M.A. in Conservation Education) had tears in her eyes she was so proud!
At the end of Session 2, upon reflecting on her first session at Sci-Tech, Rylie said how much she loved the new Marine Science Workshop. She loved presenting her project on Ocean Layers with camp friends at TECHTalks at the end of the session, meaning that she began and ended her session at Sci-Tech by teaching others about something she loves… the ocean!
We are so happy Rylie came to camp this summer and had the opportunity to explore her love for the ocean in the Marine Science Workshop! We can’t wait to see what amazing things she discovers next.
Yasher Koach, Kol Hakovod, Rylie!
Rylie and her brother Caleb on Opening Day for Session 2!