Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
SeaWorld Yas Island on Wednesday unveiled its first-ever art exhibition, celebrating the imaginative expressions of children as they explore the mysteries of the sea. This showcase features a collection of drawings offering a glimpse into young artists’ interpretations of the underwater world - both before and after their adventures at the park.
The exhibition is part of the SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi “Draw Me the Sea,” initiative, which aims to broaden children’s understanding of the ocean as they navigate the park’s eight immersive realms.
Participants included children aged seven to twelve from Aldar Education, who were invited to draw their perceptions of the sea, which included typical elements such as waves, sandy beaches, and palm trees. The children then went on to visit SeaWorld Yas Island and learn more about the diverse marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, walruses, and penguins. SeaWorld’s educators, stationed throughout the park, enriched the experience by sharing insights about each of the species the kids encountered.
Toward the end of the visit, the children were asked to draw the sea again, which resulted in dynamic illustrations of leaping dolphins, gliding rays, sharks surrounded by swarms of tiny fish, and more.
Thomas Kaferle, General Manager of SeaWorld Yas Island and the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center, explained the inspiration behind the initiative.
“The story of SeaWorld Yas Island is fundamentally about the ocean, and this initiative aims to expand children’s perceptions of all its wonders,” Kaferle said.
He emphasised the importance of educating children about marine life. “When we teach guests about the ocean and its inhabitants, we can inspire a deeper connection and commitment to conservation efforts,” he added.
Multisensory Learning
Dr. Rama Kanj, a licensed Educational Psychologist, collaborated with SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to observe the educational impact and developmental progress the experience at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi had on young minds.
More than just a theme park, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has proven to be a dynamic platform for meaningful learning through multisensory experiences, Dr. Kanj said in an interview with Aletihad.
“The development of young minds can be greatly enhanced by educational environments that include emotional engagement and sensory experiences. This approach stimulates multiple pathways in the brain, making learning more impactful and memorable for children,” she added.
“Generally, we learn about marine life in books or classrooms, but an immersive environment like SeaWorld offers a sensory experience that traditional methods simply cannot provide,” Dr. Kanj explained. “When children visit SeaWorld, they encounter animals in a way that deepens their understanding and emotional connection to marine life.”
The integration of artistic expression in educational experiences, she explained, enhances the learning process.
“The more senses we engage, the deeper the learning. By allowing children to express themselves artistically before and after their visits, we witnessed significant transformations in their understanding of marine life,” she said.
On a Mission to Inspire
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi General Curator, Rob Yordi, said: “At SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, our mission is to inspire and educate guests about the wonders of the ocean and its inhabitants, with a particular focus on nurturing the curiosity of young minds, fostering a deeper connection and care for the ocean. Having been involved in the design process from the very beginning, our objective was to create exciting and immersive experiences that can help inspire our guests to care about animals, their habitats and their future.”
Stephen Sharples, Chief Education Officer from Aldar Education, said: “The first edition of ‘Draw Me the Sea’ has proven extremely successful and we are delighted to be part of such an inspiring initiative that drives conservation and marine life education. Exploring new and engaging learning methods is something we really value. We look forward to continuing our thriving partnership with SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and constantly bringing innovative educational experiences for our students.”
Visitors to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi can view the collection of drawings in the Marine Life Theme Park’s One Ocean realm from September 19 through the end of October.
On September 28, a group of children will visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi to explore marine life-themed artworks. They will be guided by educators from both SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and the Louvre, who will share insights on marine ecosystems and the artworks. Before visiting SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the children will draw their perception of the ocean, and after the experience, they will create a second drawing to reflect how their views have changed.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi boasts a team of over 45 educators, eager to engage with guests and share their knowledge of marine life. For young marine life enthusiasts, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi also houses two state-of-the-art classrooms, which have hosted over 20 school visits since last year.
