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Case 1:13-cv-03241-AT Document 1 Filed 09/30/13 Page 16 of 6435. Educational programming at Georgia Aquarium is based on theprofessional standards established by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums andthe Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the objectives of theState of Georgia Department of Education that are reflected in the GeorgiaPerformance Standards (“GPS”) for each grade level. Aquarium programs alsomeet the applicable national curriculum standards and feature an evaluationcomponent that meets the GPS.36. At the public hearing on Georgia Aquarium’s permit applicationconducted by NMFS on October 12, 2012, educators testified regarding theimportant role Georgia Aquarium and other zoological facilities play in educatingthe public. Dr. Brian Davis, Ph.D., of Georgia Aquarium, for example, quoted thebook Building a Future for Wildlife which states: “Zoos and aquariums enablepeople to develop appreciation, wonder, respect, understanding, care and concernabout nature .... Zoos and aquariums appeal to a very broad audience and havehuge visitor numbers throughout the world. They therefore have the potential to bea very important source of environmental awareness, training and action for asustainable future.” Dr. Davis then noted that “[a]t Georgia Aquarium we see thiseach day as our guests of all ages utilize our facility to learn, make connections,and take action. We are proud that Georgia Aquarium can serve as a mechanism16
Case 1:13-cv-03241-AT Document 1 Filed 09/30/13 Page 17 of 64of change that can educate and hopefully influence the policy makers of tomorrowto ensure healthy and sustainable beluga populations.”37. Other testimony by educators at the October 12, 2012 NMFS publichearing included the following: “The National Science Teachers Association(NSTA) recognizes and encourages the development of sustained links betweenthe informal institutions and schools. NSTA strongly supports and advocatesinformal science education because we share a common mission and visionarticulated by the National Science Education Standards. Informal scienceeducation complements, supplements, deepens, and enhances classroom sciencestudies. It increases the amount of time participants can be engaged in a project ortopic. It can be the proving ground for curriculum materials. The impact ofinformal experiences extends to the affective, cognitive, and social realms bypresenting the opportunity for mentors, professionals, and citizens to share time,friendship, effort, creativity, and expertise with youngsters and adult learners.Informal science education allows for different learning styles and multipleintelligences and offers supplementary alternatives to science study for nontraditionaland second language learners. It offers unique opportunities throughfield trips, field studies, overnight experiences, and special programs. Informalscience learning experiences offer teachers a powerful means to enhance both17
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