ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Oct. 28, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Marine life artist Wyland -- known for his mega-sized murals called "Whaling Walls" -- has issued a challenge to every primary school student in Mexico to use science in the service of marine conservation. His only requirement? They do it creatively.
Over one thousand students in Tijuana will have an opportunity to work with the artist from 9 am to 12:30 PM Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the Tijuana Cultural Center, when Wyland embarks on the first stop of his 11-city "Clean Water for the 21st Century" international tour. Developed with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UCSD) and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, the live tour is part of a bilingual conservation education program designed to teach students about the importance of the world's oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and ponds. The program includes a free online English and Spanish educational curriculum and an art contest.
Students at the Tijuana Cultural Center will paint a coral reef mural with the world-famous artist, as part of the artist's goal to inspire students about science and the natural world through art. Afterwards, teachers in Tijuana will be encouraged to continue to teach the online curriculum in their classrooms. With scientists predicting devastating losses in marine life and fresh water ecosystems by 2050, it is up to the students to learn about our planet's marine world and find out what they can do to protect it.
ABOUT WYLAND: A prolific artist, sculptor, diver, conservationist, and educator, Wyland has personally discussed environmental issues with nearly 1,000,000 children over the last twenty years, hosted his own show on TV's "Animal Planet," pens a monthly column on children and the environment in Sport Diver Magazine. In 1999, he was recognized by the National Educator's Association in 1999 for his first nationwide marine awareness educational program, which culminated in visits by the artist and educators to schools in 50 states in 50 days. It is estimated that his work is seen by an estimated one billion people every year.
WEB PAGE: http://www.wylandoceanchallenge.org Available in English and Spanish
PHOTOS AVAILABLE: High res art, we have some immediately available on our online image library http://www.wylandworldwide.com/main/media.cfm Password: Manatee