2008 Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2008

Contact:
Beth Bilderback (757) 664-1017
Beth.Bilderback@norfolk.gov

Nauticus Receives Cruise Industry & NOAA Grants

The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) BWET Foundation have renewed funding to Nauticus for the second and third year, respectively, toward an educational science program aimed at disadvantaged middle school students. The program, Watershed Discoveries, offers valuable opportunities for 6,000 sixth grade students in 20 Chesapeake and Norfolk Public Schools to participate in outdoor activities exploring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

In addition to student programs, Watershed Discoveries provides supplemental curriculum in science, math, and technology to teachers. CICF’s grant of $10,000 and NOAA’s grant of $72,364 will increase the number reached from 260 teachers to 275 and 5,600 students to 6,000, as well as incorporate a new “capstone” project at each local middle school.

“Our goal is to teach students and teachers about the biological aspects of our watersheds, wetlands and the hydrologic cycle.” says Andrew Larkin, NOAA@Nauticus Project Manager. “We’re very happy with our continuing partnership with Nauticus and its educational programming.”

CICF Board Chairman James R. Border, said "We are always eager to support educational programs and continue to be impressed with Norfolk's growing cruise industry presence. Nauticus, located at Half Moon Cruise & Celebration Center, furthers the cruise industry's goal to broaden public awareness and encourage environmental stewardship."

Other CICF Foundation supporters include American Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, Majestic America Line, MSC Cruises, NCL America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Pearl Seas Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises.

The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF) focuses its efforts on programs that are designed to improve the quality of life in the communities served by the cruise industry. The Foundation supports programs that enhance educational opportunities for youth, including those designed to improve literacy, teach basic life skills, and promote good citizenship. CICF also supports academic enrichment opportunities aimed at enhancing student proficiencies in reading, math and science

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Nauticus is a maritime science museum, located on the downtown Norfolk waterfront, that features hands-on exhibits, interactive theaters and exciting, educational films as well as Navy exhibits and The Hampton Roads Naval Museum; the awe-inspiring Battleship Wisconsin; a NOAA Environmental Resource Center; The Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, and the Victory Rover, which offers cruises of the Seaport.

Since 1984, NOAA has provided science, service, and stewardship to advance NOAA’s mission in the mid-Atlantic region, and to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay through its programs in fisheries management, habitat restoration, coastal observations and education and collaboration with the Chesapeake Bay Program. The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office was established in 1992 to provide a focus for NOAA’s multiple capabilities and activities in the Chesapeake Bay, and operates out of offices around the Bay, including a location at Nauticus.

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The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF), founded in 1998 by the members of the International Council of Cruise Lines, focuses its efforts on programs designed to strengthen and improve the quality of life in communities served by our industry. The Foundation supports civic and community development, educational assistance and training programs, and environmental preservation initiatives.