We will showcase actions taken by three young, female leaders working to directly address the need to restore ocean health through changing individual behavior. We will share a behind the scenes perspective for two major project activities: 1) the development of the documentaries, Sunburnt Reef and Don't Glitter the River, and 2) the development of a research project investigating the effectiveness of climate change messaging in aquaria to families. All too often, adults are asked to speak on behalf of their families, leaving children’s ideas without a voice. To counter this silence, this project takes a direct approach to explicitly involve youth in activity design, community outreach, and data collection. Forum attendees will be invited to interact with the three youths involved in the project (Isabelle Galko, Katherine Galko, and Victoria Reyes) and project mentors (Dr. Kristy Daniel and Jenn Idema) to consider ways in which we can activate the next generation of youth leaders.
