Sail into ocean fun with Agnes Pflumm

by South Carolina Maritime Foundation on 13 May 2010 On Wednesday, June 23 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM a family ocean education event and fundraiser will be held at the Charleston Maritime Center to celebrate how we are all connected to the ocean.

Local author and science educator, Merrie Koester Southgate, will head up this exciting free evening with both storytelling and improvisational theatre from her new ocean adventure novel, Agnes Pflumm and the Secret of the Seven.

A professional drum circle, Inner Rhythm, will provide captivating background accompaniment. Fun for every member of the family, there will be free Papa John's Pizza for the first 100 people, ice cream, a raffle for a free evening sail about the Spirit of South Carolina as well as a free classroom set of Agnes Pflumm and the Secret of the Seven for a lucky middle school teacher.

Families will be invited to visit with real marine scientists and take home free materials. Proceeds from sales of Merrie Southgate's new ocean education novel will be donated to the 21st Century Spirit Ocean Adventure drop out prevention and literacy program offered by the South Carolina Maritime Foundation.

Merrie Southgate's previous science education novels will also be available: Agnes Pflumm and the Stonecreek Science Fair, No Place Like Periwinkle, and Pond Scum by Agnes Pflumm.

Who: Merrie Koester Southgate, science educator and author of four nationally acclaimed science education novels for grades five to eight (www.agnespflumm.com)

What: A family evening of ocean education, storytelling, theater, book signing, tours of the Spirit of South Carolina, food, and drumming

Where: Charleston Maritime Center, 10 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC

When: Wednesday, June 23 5:00-7:00 PM

Why: To inspire families to learn as much about the ocean's influence on them and their influence on the ocean

The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the South Carolina Maritime Foundation, the South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston Maritime Center, and Papa John's Pizza. Families are encouraged to attend.

As a fall follow-up, Merrie Southgate will conduct a special middle school teacher ocean literacy workshop at the South Carolina Aquarium, featuring her new arts-based ocean science curriculum.

“The event is a wonderful opportunity to combine all aspects of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation's mission. We endeavour to act as a catalyst in the community to address our collective needs.”

“Whether we're working to protect the biodiversity of our shared marine resources, teaching children how to read, cultivating leaders for tomorrow, or providing low-wealth households with the opportunity for their students to overcome the statistical barriers to success, events like this help create thriving communities for the future. We're proud to work with NOAA, the South Carolina Aquarium, Papa John's Pizza, and Merrie Southgate towards that goal,” says Matt McDonnell, Program Director, South Carolina Maritime Foundation.

“Step on board for an adventure that speaks of our 'sense of place' that we call ocean. From art and culture to flora and fauna, Merrie Southgate ties it all together in this adventure! An amazing tool for educators to bring ocean knowledge and awareness to future generations,” says Brian Thill, Assistant Director of Education, South Carolina Aquarium.