The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation will match up to $25,000 raised for the Interactive Tidepool Project at the Cabrillo High School Aquarium.
This donation will help the school install a new touch tank and upgrade the aquarium’s filtration system.
Tribal Chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Kenneth Kahn, said the tribe is proud to support Cabrillo High School.
“This student-run operation provides a unique educational experience and fosters a deeper knowledge and respect for marine life,” Kahn said.
Since 1986, the aquarium has grown from a single classroom exhibit into a 5,000-square-foot facility with more than 30 tanks.
The aquarium attracts more than 7,000 visitors each year and is run by about 200 students.
A Cabrillo High School science teacher, Chris Ladwig, said the aquarium is really beneficial for students’ education.
“In any other class, if you fail a test, your grade might suffer,” Ladwig said. “Here at the aquarium, if you have a bad day, something might not survive. Having those real-world consequences really adds to the ownership the students have of this program.”
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated more than $25 million to groups, organizations and schools across the nation.
