Evan Hadfield Rare Earth, Ocean Academy, Belize

Ocean Academy students are counting down the days to the start of 2018-2019 classes.  How did they spend their summer? 

• New students spent a week of summer classes in Math and English in order to facilitate a strong entry into high school.  We hired two of our graduates who are now enrolled in Education programs at University - Leivy and Karen - to lead the classes and mentor incoming students. 
• Other students worked summer jobs in order to pay school fees and save money for their goals.  For example, Luis led Ocean Academy Bike with Purpose trips over the summer in order to buy a guitar so that he can practice at home as well as at school.  Joshuan and Nomari managed the school shop renting out kayaks and selling student-made art pieces. 
• Oh, and we went to the Olympics in Mexico City.  What?!  Yes.  Daniela and her I.T. teacher Mr. Tzub led Team Belize to the FIRST Global Robotics Olympics August 16-18.  The kit arrived in June, and students had to build and code a robot capable of lifting small boxes and glass panels and twisting a handle on the game field with the theme of "Energy Impact".  182 countries signed up, and 161 teams competed in the three-day Olympics.  Daniela was the flag bearer for Team Belize. An added twist is that countries were randomly matched together into Village Alliances and had to strategize and work together in the competition.  Each game lasted 2:30 minutes and the team robots had to lift and carry and twist game pieces that represented solar panels, energy cubes, wind turbines.  Belize placed 106/161 and also earned a "Safety Award".  A full sponsorship allowed Daniela and her teacher to participate in this amazing international technology opportunity.

Summer is quickly drawing to a close and students are preparing for regularly scheduled classes to start next week.  Ocean Academy was founded in 2008 and this September will be our 10th Anniversary as the first high school on the island of Caye Caulker. Our high-school students truly appreciate your continued interest in their potential and success stories, and your desire to support their education and provide amazing opportunities via your financial contribution. 

Now is the perfect time to donate again or set up a monthly contribution, to set the students on a path to success early in the school year.  We have GlobalGiving projects that benefit the entire student body (Send 100 Students to High School or the Danny Michel Fund) and also pages that focus on Girls Empowerment Club and Technology.  On behalf of the entire campus, thank you for being part of our Ocean Academy family.

Links:

• Team Belize - Robotics Olympics
• Global Giving Page - Danny Michel Ocean Academy
• Global Giving Page - Technology and Business