TEMPE, Ariz. – April 1, 2025 – Sea Life Arizona (www.sealifeus.com), today announced its second annual poster contest with Bear Essential News and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. The poster contest is for local school children grades K-8. Poster contest winners and their families will be honored at Sea Life Arizona on June 8 for World Oceans Day. The winners also will receive four complimentary Sea Life annual memberships.
The contest is designed to teach kids the importance of ocean conservation. The theme, “Which creature in the sea would you most like to be?” will encourage kids to draw their favorite sea creature, based on its traits and behaviors.
“Sea Life Arizona is proud to support conservation efforts around the world,” said Kelly Schwartz, marketing manager of Sea Life Arizona. “This poster contest is another opportunity to educate local children about the importance of caring for our oceans and the wonders of the sea and its creatures.”
One winner and one runner-up will be chosen in each of the following grade categories:
* Kindergarten-Third grades
* Fourth-Fifth grades
* Sixth-Eighth grades
Instructions for submitting a poster will be available in the April and May issues of Bear Essential News, which can be picked up at most local elementary and middle schools in the state. More information, poster contest rules, and entry forms can also be found at bearessentialnews.com, sealifeus.com and wdcs-na.org.
“The partnership with Sea Life Arizona and WDCS is the perfect fit as we all work to have a positive impact on children and the environment,” said Nancy Holmes, publisher of Bear Essential News. “The contest is not about artistic talent, but passion for the world’s sea creatures.”
Winners will be announced in early June, and the posters will be unveiled and put on temporary display on “World Oceans Day” on June 8 at the aquarium. The WDCS also will be onsite that day with activities that will educate Sea Life guests about whales and dolphins and the dangers they face in the ocean.
“One might ask, why focus on sea creatures in the desert? The answer is simple. Our daily choices have a significant impact on the marine environments and oceans worldwide,” said Courtney Vail, Campaigns Officer for WDCS. “We’re excited to partner with Sea Life Arizona to send children a positive message about conservation and the ways kids can help.”
About Sea Life Arizona
Sea Life Arizona is a 26,000 square foot aquarium designed with children in mind. Based in Tempe, Ariz., the unique and interactive aquarium provides visitors with a fun and educational underwater experience showcasing some of the world’s most thrilling sea creatures. SEA LIFE Arizona includes more than 30 display tanks in 12 different habitat zones featuring more than 5,000 sea creatures. Sea Life Arizona is the second Sea Life aquarium launched in the U.S. and the 33nd to open worldwide. Sea Life Arizona is located at Arizona Mills near entrance one. For more information, visit www.sealifeus.com or call 480.478.7600.
About Merlin Entertainments
MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP is the leading name in location based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. The world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin has 59 attractions, six hotels and two holiday villages in 13 countries, across three continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 35 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and 13,500 employees.
Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE – the world’s biggest aquarium brand, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK, Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo, Heide Park, and Earth Explorer. All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.
About Bear Essential News
Bear Essential News for Kids is a literacy award-winning newspaper with a mission to educate, enrich and entertain young people. For 30 years the newspaper has been distributed free of charge to young readers, with over 80 percent of all copies distributed directly into public and private schools each month. Current circulation stands at over 250,000 copies throughout the state. The "Young Reporters Program" enables students to experience the world of journalism firsthand by reporting for Bear Essential News. Reporters have their stories published in Bears "Kid Scoops" section and broadcast on television. What separates Bear Essential News from other childrens publications is its focus on current events—keeping kids informed of changes in the world around them. www.bearessentialnews.com