Today marks the official beginning of the Donor’s Choose Science Blogger Challenge! This year the Ocean and Geo Bloggers have united to compete against other science blogging networks, so let’s show the landlubbers that we take out science education seriously! On top of that, we’re also having a little friendly competition among ocean and geo bloggers, and right now the Gam is proudly in the lead.

Every few days or so, I’ll be highlight specific projects from the Gam’s Giving Page to discuss the importance of science education. Today it’s the most expensive project on our page, but also the most essential – A Visit to Barrier Island. As important as education in the classroom is, experience in the field is the essential foundation for developing young scientist. This project will be supporting a 5th grade class from South Carolina. From the teacher:

What I am asking for is an opportunity for some of my least advantaged students to be able to attend a life-changing field trip. If you help, they will be able to travel to a barrier island here in South Carolina for 3 days and 2 nights. For many of the students it will be their first time away from home over night. For many of them it will be the first time they have seen the ocean. For many of them it will be the only chance they might ever have to stay in a camp setting. For almost all of them, it will be their first chance to roast marshmallows over a camp fire or actually hold a lizard or snake.

In addition to all of these first time experiences, the students will also be able to see first hand what we have been learning about in the classroom. What better way to understand an ecosystem than to actually walk around in one? What better way to understand the human effect on the environment than to see it first hand?

So here’s my personal challenge to Southern Fried Science readers – let’s get this project funded!

~Southern Fried Scientist