SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi, the largest indoor marine life theme park globally, has launched its Draw Me the Sea initiative, a creative project designed to educate children about the wonders of marine life. The initiative, targeting children aged seven to 12, encouraged participants to illustrate their perceptions of the ocean, drawing inspiration from their visit to the park’s immersive marine realms.
Before their visit to SeaWorld, the children were asked to draw the sea as they imagined it. These initial drawings typically featured waves, sandy shores, and perhaps a few palm trees. However, after their experience at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the children’s illustrations were transformed.
During their visit, the children encountered a variety of marine animals, such as dolphins, turtles, walruses, and penguins, within the park’s eight realms. Each realm features educators who shared captivating details about the species, providing the children with a deeper understanding of the animals they observed.
The Transformation of Art and Learning
Following their educational adventure at SeaWorld, the children were asked to draw the sea once more. Their new drawings depicted a rich underwater world teeming with life. Dolphins leaped from the water, rays glided gracefully, and sharks swam alongside schools of fish, illustrating the powerful impact the experience had on their perceptions.
The initiative’s success demonstrates SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s unique ability to enhance children’s cognitive development through immersive experiences. The shift in the children’s drawings is a testament to the power of hands-on learning, as the park allows them to see marine life they may have never encountered before.
Dr. Rama Kanj, a licensed Educational Psychologist, collaborated with SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to observe the impact of the initiative on the children’s learning. “The development of young minds can be greatly enhanced by educational environments that include emotional engagement and sensory experiences,” explains Dr. Kanj. “SeaWorld Abu Dhabi exemplifies this through its multisensory experiences, which offer a dynamic platform for meaningful learning beyond mere entertainment.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s General Curator, Rob Yordi, emphasized the park’s dedication to fostering curiosity and a connection to the ocean among young minds. “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,” Yordi noted. “Our goal was to create exciting and immersive experiences that inspire our guests to care about animals and their habitats.”
Stephen Sharples, Chief Education Officer at Aldar Education, praised the initiative’s educational value: “The first edition of Draw Me the Sea has proven extremely successful, and we are delighted to be part of such an inspiring initiative. Exploring new and engaging learning methods is something we really value.”
Connecting Art and the Sea
On September 28, selected children also had the opportunity to visit Louvre Abu Dhabi, where they explored marine-themed artworks accompanied by educators from both the Louvre and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. This visit provided the children with a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and their representation in art. Afterward, the children created a new round of ocean-themed drawings, reflecting how their experiences shaped their artistic expressions.
Visitors to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi can now view the children’s unique artwork in a special exhibition, located in the park’s One Ocean realm, which will be open to the public until the end of October.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, which boasts over 45 educators across its eight themed realms, continues to foster a deeper understanding of marine life through its educational programs. Since last year, the park has welcomed over 20 school visits, offering children the chance to engage with marine life in a meaningful and educational way.
For more information about SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi and the ongoing exhibition, visit their website.
