Bailey is a 17 year old high school student who recently reached out to us about doing a presentation for younger students. She put a shark class on for Pre-K to grade 5 students at her local library. She used some of our resources and added her own experiences.
Thanks Bailey for inspiring younger students and for showing people, no matter how young you are, you can make a difference.
"My shark class went spectacular today! I had so much fun. Dream job would be to teach kids about sharks someday."
Thanks Bailey for sharing your shark story with us.
1. What is your favorite shark and why?
That is such a tough question, because I love so many different species in their own unique ways. But if I were to choose a favorite... well... actually, I don’t even think I can! Ha!
2. What is one species of shark you would like to see/swim with?
I have already gotten the opportunity to swim with three sand tiger sharks and a nurse shark, but I think swimming with a whale shark would be incredible because of their enormous size! I still can’t really comprehend that an animal out there is so huge, so I think swimming along one would be quite the experience.
3. What got you interested in sharks?
Vacationing to the ocean and shark week! I won’t lie, I used to be the typical human who fears them because of movies like Jaws and Sharknado, and how I was always taught to not wander too far out into the ocean because a shark might eat me alive. But about 4 years ago I was vacationing to Myrtle Beach and while I was there, there were many reports of shark attack’s near us because of a huge shark migration. We also saw a fisherman on a pier catch a shark pup which really intrigued me to see a shark so little, and so close to shore. Later that summer I tuned into Shark Week and was amazed- all that I thought sharks to be, was exactly what they aren’t. I did research, followed many shark accounts on social media and became so interested in sharks. Since then, I’ve been doing my best to spread awareness for them after I learned the TRUE beauty and nature behind these amazing creatures. Education really is key.
4. Why did you decide to do a presentation for students?
I was assigned a service project in my government a few months ago at school, and I wanted to do something that I was passionate about and something that could leave my mark and mean something to others. I love sharks, and I love kiddos, so sharks for kids was the perfect project for me!!
5. Do you want to work with sharks when you are older?
I would love to! I am a junior in high school right now, so I’ve been looking into many careers involving sharks. I thought about being a shark biologist, but I’d rather be more hands on, in the water, working with people and educating them than in a lab studying data. I’ve been looking into careers like underwater videography, a dive master, shark tourist guide, an aquarist, but my dream job would be to travel and teach kids about sharks to promote conservation and education.
6. What was the best part of doing your shark presentation?
The best part of my shark presentation was seeing the kids jump out of their seats, bursting with answers when I would ask them questions. It was also incredible to see the tiny kiddos so interested in sharks already. After I presented my factual material, we split into groups and played a few games. One of them was a true and false shark trivia game- and seeing most of the kids know the right answers was incredible. I have hope for the future of sharks because of kids.
7.Do you think kids, no matter where they live, can help save sharks?
I do! Living in Metamora, Ohio, no where even semi- near an ocean, I was able to help save sharks by spreading education to fellow shark lovers and promote conservation. I even teach my babysitting kids shark facts every once in a while as well, just for fun. No matter where you are, if you are passionate and care enough to know the true behavior, nature, and beauty that sharks reveal, you can surely make a difference, whether you are 1 or 100,000 miles away from the ocean.