Association of Zoos and Aquariums

SOUTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM WINS AZA DIVERSITY AWARD

CONTACT: Kris Vehrs, AZA 301-562-0777 x 229

TAMPA, FL September 29, 2006 Today the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) honored the South Carolina Aquarium with the AZA Diversity Award for its high school intern program. Aquarium officials accepted the award in front of thousands of their professional colleagues at the AZA's 82nd Annual Conference, meeting here this week. AZA honored the aquarium with this award in honor of their contributions to help achieve AZA’s vision of building North America’s largest wildlife conservation movement.

The high school intern program at the South Carolina aquarium gives underserved students the opportunity to work in a science-based field. The program was implemented in 2003-2004 with the long-term goal of developing a pool of qualified minority applicants for science-related careers at the South Carolina Aquarium and all science fields of work.

The internship program is organized into two main parts: training classes and summer internship. The training classes teach the interns science material, as well as valuable job skills. The summer internship gives the students a chance to use this knowledge in a science-based environment.

The program begins each October with high school juniors applying to the program and interviewing for positions in the training course. Chosen students and their parents attend an orientation of the program, and the students attend training classes occurring once a month from January through April. All classes are taught by the aquarium’s education staff using hands-on activities, as well as offsite field trips.

After the training course is completed in April, each intern completes a second interview. The aquarium staff combines the training class assessments and interviews to choose 10 students who are offered a paid internship at the South Carolina Aquarium during the summer months of June and July. Each intern works 20 hours per week, focusing on educating visitors by working in the touch tank, handling reptiles, running educational cart programs and providing exhibit interpretation.

The Diversity Award is presented by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for outstanding dedication to diversity initiatives both within zoological facilities and for our visitors.

About AZA

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, the AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.

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