ROOKERY BAY RESEARCH RESERVE, DISCOVERY CHANNEL HONOR STUDENTS FOR FILMS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

ROOKERY BAY RESEARCH RESERVE, DISCOVERY CHANNEL HONOR STUDENTS FOR FILM PROJECTS

RBNERR FILM

"Top of the Food Chain" team receives top award for their film Marco Island Dredge and Fill.

NAPLES – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve hosted the Second Annual Lely High School Marine Science Student Film Premiere Wednesday evening. With the reserve as the backdrop, 30 teams of students interviewed scientists and educators to learn about local environmental issues. In partnership with Discovery Education, the students also worked with the Discovery Channel’s associate producers on the mechanics of making a film, including Kristen Wilcox who is on the Shark Week team.

“The Florida Coastal Office encourages our field sites—like Rookery Bay—to reach out to local high school and college students,” said Kevin Claridge, director of the DEP's Florida Coastal Office. “This program excites students about science through a medium that includes a screen, which is second nature to our next generations.”

Film topics covered the students areas of interest, incorporating information on mangroves, stone crabs, artificial reefs, dredge-and-fill development, and manatees.

The Friends of Rookery Bay, a not-for-profit Florida corporation, donated cameras and other equipment needed for this project. The top five student-produced videos were shared with district faculty, families, Reserve staff and the general public.

Awards were presented to the best film in five categories and the overall top film.

Batfish Award – Top award

Marco Island Dredge and Fill   

Team: Top of the Food Chain

Ciera Parcelles

Brooke Bragenzer

Robert Thompson

Holly Hiedenreich

Inspires Curiosity Award

Marco Island Dredge and Fill   

Team: Top of the Food Chain

Ciera Parcelles

Brooke Bragenzer

Robert Thompson

Holly Heidenreich

First or Fresh Award

Mangrove Research Initiative

Team: Mangrove Research Initiative

Sam Huettel

Sean Linardich

Paul Grisko

Jeroen Poelstra

Compelling Characters Award

Stone Crabs

Team: Backwater Junkies

Cassidy Penzo

Briana Anguilano

Nicholas Dotson

Randy Wyatt

Vicarious Exploration Award

Artificial Reefs

Team: Chillah Penguins

Julian Acosta

Tyler Douglass

Bryce Bogart

Thomas Borduas

Magnetic Storytelling Award

The Truth About Manatees

Team: Human Impact

Nick Talko

Alex Groom

Greg Losada

Micah Gipson

The student videos can be viewed here.