Just yesterday, as we were driving back from a long weekend at the beach, Owen informed us that he no longer wants to be an architect when he grows up, and instead he is going to become a marine biologist. I think it had something to do with the dolphins he saw swimming and jumping through the ocean waves and the crabs and jellyfish he studied up close, or maybe it’s his ongoing fascination with sharks. Whatever the reason for the switch in aspirations, his new ambition makes me tempted to take him out of school a little early next week for a special event that he — and any kid with an interest in sea creatures — is sure to dig.
Next Wednesday, June 8 from 3 – 4pm, kids are invited to celebrate World Oceans Day with National Geographic and Pottery Barn Kids. Events will take place at Pottery Barn Kids stores across the nation, but the one at the Tysons Corner location will be extra cool, as National Geographic explorers present a special guest.
Emmy-award winning scientist, inventor, filmmaker, and National Geographic explorer Greg Marshall will be at the event to speak about World Oceans Day and offer tips on how kids can get involved and help protect one of our most vital natural resources. Greg has dedicated the last 25 years to studying, exploring, and documenting life in the oceans. One of his greatest contributions to the marine world is the invention of the Crittercam, a device safely worn by wildlife that captures video, sound, and other information that give us rare views of the private lives of animals. Deployed on whales, sharks, seals, turtles, penguins and other species, Crittercam has enabled Greg and his research collaborators to capture information that, until now, was inaccessible to humans. What we learn from Crittercams helps us protect the very animals that wear them.
Along with Greg’s apearance, in-store events will include a Crittercam demo, songs, trivia contests, face painting, hands-on crafts, and activities themed to ocean conservation. The event will be part of Pottery Barn Kids “Little Explorers Club,” a series of in-store events that brings the science museum experience to its stores, with educational content from National Geographic.
