ATLANTA,None — Georgia Aquarium and Ford Motor Company have announced the Ford Motor Company Fund Scholarship, an extension of the Aquarium’s existing Sponsored Education Admissions (SEA) Program. This generous gift will provide free admission for 2,083 students and, with an average of 25 children per class, will allow for 83 separate learning programs.
To establish itself as a true asset to the community, Georgia Aquarium originally developed the SEA Program in an effort to ensure diverse audiences, regardless of economic status, an opportunity to participate in the unique educational experiences at a reduced rate or free of charge. Through the generous contributions of foundations and corporations like Ford Motor Company, as well as individuals from both Atlanta and a broader geographic region, the Aquarium has been able to offer this gift to schools and non-profit organizations operating in the state of Georgia. The Ford Motor Company Fund Scholarship represents a tremendous addition to this program which greatly expands its positive impact on local students.
Currently, the SEA Program is available to schools that meet Title I status. To qualify as a Title I school, 40% of the student body must be enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program. Title I schools receive state and federal funding and are eligible to participate in outside educational opportunities, such as Georgia Aquarium’s SEA Program, at no cost. Schools with 39% or fewer students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program do not receive Title I status, and are often times unable to receive reduced rates for outside educational opportunities even though they may have a financially challenged student body. To combat this discrepancy, the Ford Motor Company Fund Scholarship intends to expand the SEA Program beyond Title I schools to include those that also serve an at-risk student body, but do not meet the strict Title I guidelines. By including schools that narrowly miss the 40% cut-off, the Aquarium will be able to reach more students who are in need of hands on, real-world learning opportunities.
“We are honored to accept the generous donation from Ford Motor Company” said David Kimmel, Georgia Aquarium president. “Aquariums, zoos and nature centers like Georgia Aquarium create environments where students immerse themselves in nature and create connections with animals they have never had the ability or means to see in person before. The Ford Motor Company Fund Scholarship will allow us to continue our mission of providing students with unique and inspirational experiences which cannot be replicated in the classroom.”
Georgia Aquarium is dedicated to promoting an entertaining learning experience which inspires guests to better understand and appreciate aquatic animals, and to promote the conservation of these animals and their natural habitats. The Aquarium believes that early exposure to these animals, and the sharing of key information, will motivate students to make positive choices about conservation efforts throughout their lives. Through the SEA Program, more than 100,000 students have experienced the educational opportunities offered at the Aquarium.
"Education has been a key focus for Ford Motor Company since its start in 1903," said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. "Together with our dealers in our Operation Goodwill program, we are pleased to invest in this educational opportunity at Georgia Aquarium for students in the Atlanta area."