Science has come a very long way over th
e years. No longer are students subjected to sitting at a desk in a classroom dissecting frogs and worms…now science is interactive; learning is truly an adventure. Recently, a new program threw their fins in the ring as another way to bring science to students. The Schooba Academy is making the science connection and throwing the kids in the water!
Diver and teacher Zack Rome have created a program to help bridge science and scuba diving for students from low income communities. “The Schooba Academy is a nonprofit, out-of-school, credit-bearing program with a mission,” says Rome. “We wanted to help make a sustained connection to science for students from low-income communities through the learning of SCUBA diving. We figure the best way to learn is while having fun so why not.” Rome graduated from the University of Miami with a BSC in Marine Science and Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. “I spent 18 months in 11 different countries working as a journalist, photographer and SCUBA Instructor,” Rome said. “When I returned to the states, I became a NYC Teaching Fellow and spent two years teaching middle school science at Lyons Community School – a small, progressive, Title-I school in Brooklyn, NY. When I ended up the Grand Prize Winner of the ‘2041 Teacher’s Contest’ and was awarded free passage aboard the 2041 International Antarctic Treaty Expedition with world famous polar explorer, Robert Swan. I was hooked on the idea of bringing science to my students through interactive play. I am a PADI OWSI Instructor and I have a Masters in Adolescent Science Education from Pace University so I had all my ducks in a row; I just had to create the program.
Scuba diving is an engaging and exotic action sport and in order to participate in it, one must have an understanding of many middle and high school science concepts. The Schooba Academy nurtures the connection between scuba diving and the learning of science with close intergenerational support. Students receive private science tutoring, scuba training, weekend field trips and one on one mentoring.
Rome created the Schooba Academy in January 2011 and was selected as a finalist in the 2011 Oceana Ocean Heroes Contest presented at the 2011 World Science Festival. He was on the right track and knew it. “There are a lot of kids out there never get the chance to learn scuba diving,” Rome says. “I know I personally love it and see it would be a great vessel through which to teach this great sport. I am hoping to see it continue to grow and even, perhaps, have branches on the West Coast as well.”
Currently Rome and his crew continue to build the Schooba Academy while learning how to make it better.
The Schooba Academy is fiscally sponsored by Urban Workshop, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Rome welcomes help, donations for the academy and even volunteers to help with future events. For more info visit schooba.wordpress.com ■
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