Email   Print   Share By Joy Pariante, Sentinel Staff

Facebook Digg Delicious March 4, 2010 | Living

Participants in the Child and Youth Services’ Edge program’s Splash Science program play underwater frisbee Feb. 26 at Abrams Pool. The pool scuba session was the final class for the kids, who learned about ocean life and conservation through the course during the last month. Joy Pariante, Sentinel Staff

Dr. Christopher Mendoza, C&J Divers, teaches Maddy Moore, 11, and Micah Ahmann, 12, the basic workings of their scuba gear Feb. 26 at Abrams Pool.

Moore gears up at Abrams Pool Feb. 26 during the final exercise for the Splash Science class, offered by the Fort Hood Child and Youth Services’ Edge program. Children learned about conserving ocean resources and spent their final class scuba diving for the first time.

Moore and Ahmann put on their flippers Feb. 26 in preparation for their first scuba experience at Abrams Pool. The Edge program’s Splash Science program gave kids a chance to learn about the ocean and try their hand at scuba diving.

Ahmann puts on his gear in preparation for his first scuba experience Feb. 26 at Abrams Pool. The dive was the final class for the Splash Science program sponsored by Fort Hood CYSS’ Edge program.

This planet is the most important thing parents are leaving their children. But before kids inherit the forests, mountains and oceans, they need to know how to take care of the flora and fauna they’re being given. The Child and Youth Services’ Edge program Splash Science course offers a fun way for kids to learn how to be responsible regarding the environment.

The course, which ran through February, taught children about the plants and animals that inhabit the ocean and stressed the importance of conservation. C&J Divers headed up the instruction which included games, art and crafts focused on education and awareness. Lessons included studying types of fish, learning about coral and information about sharks.

“The intention behind this class is teaching conservation of aquatic life,” said Dr. Christopher Mendoza, a diver and instructor at C&J Divers. He said past generations have made a lot of mistakes, such as using oceans as dumping grounds. But he hopes teaching the upcoming generation about the importance of taking care of natural resources will help turn the tides.

“We just hope it’s not too late. Without water, we won’t survive,” he emphasized.

Mendoza and the rest of the C&J team are very active in youth education regarding conservation because it’s the age group where children are the most moldable and impressionable.

“This age group is very excited about the environment,” he said. “They’ll remain that excited if you keep them involved. You have to show them that conservation is worth doing.”

The final lessons for the month-long class revolved around using scuba gear as a tool to explore the ocean and its life forms, Mendoza said. Kids spent one class learning all about using the underwater breathing apparatus and for their final class they took to the pool at Abrams Physical Fitness Center. The focus was on getting the kids comfortable underwater with all the gear in hopes of fostering future underwater exploration. To get the kids used to being underwater, they played Frisbee, communicated with each other through hand signals and took a lap up and down the pool.

“I always like being in the water, but being under the water and being able to see everything instead of worrying about holding my breath was great,” said Maddy Moore, 11. Moore said she also learned proper procedures for diving in the ocean, such as not chasing or scaring the creatures living down there and the importance of observing, not touching.

“I learned not to touch nature underwater because you could seriously damage it,” said Micah Ahmann, 12.

The Edge offers monthly activities geared toward helping kids learn new skills and discover hidden talents, said Koy Grant, Edge program manager. Once-a-week classes are $20 and twice-a-week classes are $40 for first- through fifth-grade students. Students in grades 6-12 can attend for free.

Participants meet at Hi-Chaparral Youth Center and are transported to their class site. Classes run 4:30-6:30 p.m. For more information or to suggest a class topic, contact Grant at 553-3995 or e-mail edge@hoodmwr.com. For more program details, visit www.hoodmwr.com/edge.htm.