Baltimore, Md. (March 25, 2003)—The National Aquarium in Baltimore, a world-class aquatic institute, invites Baltimore City Public School System students to apply for the Henry Hall Youth and Scholarship Program.
The three-tiered program offers free summer programs for 6th – 12th graders; a paid summer aid position for college students at the Aquarium; and $1,000 college scholarships for students seeking science and engineering-related degrees.
City students entering grades 6 - 12 next fall may apply for the summer programs, which provide free excursions, learning labs and career opportunities to Baltimore City students who are interested in marine and environmental sciences.
Under the summer program, students go sea kayaking in the Potomac River, canoeing along the Eastern Shore waterways, or hunting for shark teeth on the beach, among other activities.
The Henry Hall program also offers a paid summer position for college students to work in the National Aquarium in Baltimore’s Conservation Department. Students will gain valuable hands-on experience in marine conservation and wetland restoration.
In addition, students may apply for one-time $1000 college scholarships for studies in biology, environmental science, aquatic science and engineering.
Applications and information are available by calling 410-576-3870 or online at www.aqua.org. Deadline for applications is April 18, 2003.
The Henry Hall Youth and Scholarship program has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to nearly 1,000 underserved youth since its inception in 1982.
The Aquarium created the program in honor of the late Henry Hall, an African American power engineer, world traveler, teacher, aquarist, inventor and philanthropist whose community involvement and strong belief in life-long learning helped shape the Aquarium’s relationship to the city and its students. In 1977, Mr. Hall donated his entire rare fish collection to the future Aquarium, which opened in 1981.
“Henry Hall’s legacy is proof that one person can make a difference,” says Paula Schaedlich, deputy executive director of the Aquarium. “By providing opportunities to young people, we continue his legacy of inspiring and educating others.”
The National Aquarium in Baltimore, a non-profit organization, is Maryland’s leading attraction, hosting more than 1.5 million visitors per year. The Aquarium’s vision is to connect people with aquatic life in order to create a better world for both. It’s dedicated to education and conservation through a wide variety of programs that serve the environment and the community.
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