Six Senses Laamu Launches Home-Based Junior Marine Biology Program


Maldives
PUBLISHED April 11, 2020

Starting Monday April 13, Six Senses Laamu will be launching a home-based Junior Marine Biology Program, a fun 10 week course for budding conservationists staying at home.

Sad to not be greeting their usual students on the beautiful shores of Six Senses Laamu, the resorts team of marine biologists will host short videos and demonstrate activities that anyone can try at home.

The course is open to everyone and there will be content available and suitable for all ages. The team is expecting some very special events over the next few weeks on the island, including turtle hatching in May, which they will do their best to stream.

Each week, the team will take turns to introduce manta rays, corals, turtle and reef fish. Families can explore seagrass and mangroves and learn how they are vital habitats for supporting a diversity of marine life. Broader topics cover science research, sustainability and how to stay involved over the longer term.

Although the structure, by necessity, is slightly different to what children might enjoy on vacation in the Maldives, the objective is the same. It aims to help foster an understanding of marine biology and see first-hand the importance of marine conservation. It may also come as a relief to parents who may be running out of ideas (or enthusiasm) for home schooling.

The resources will remain online via www.sixsenses.com/en/at-home-with-six-senses so that families can start the program when they like, with the first module available from Monday, April 13. Students will be encouraged to share their "homework" by email to marine-laamu@sixsenses.com.



The Junior Marine Biology program, which launched a year ago at the resort, was initially inspired by a young guest at Six Senses Laamu. Unable to join his parents on dive trips, he ventured out with one of the marine biologists on a shallow-water snorkel. His curiosity inspired the team to create the program for all like-minded marine enthusiasts. Sessions are led by one of 10 biologists, each of whom specializes in different aspects of marine science and science communication as part of their work with the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI). Over the past year, they have run hundreds of hours of private sessions and certified dozens of junior marine biologists.

MUI is an initiative by Six Senses Laamu in partnership with three NGOs: Blue Marine Foundation, the Manta Trust and the Olive Ridley Project. The mission is to lead the tourism industry in the Maldives by undertaking meaningful marine conservation focused around the three pillars of research, education and community. One of the teams many pioneering projects include an underwater contactless ultrasound scanner for Laamus resident population of pregnant manta rays in order to study gestation and embryonic development and guide conservation strategies. MUI was also recently honored with the Best for Wildlife and Nature Conservation Award for its #ProtectMaldivesSeagrass campaign at the World Travel Markets Responsible Tourism Awards.

Guests are informed to follow #AtHomeWithSixSenses on social media channels @SixSensesLaamu, @SixSensesHotelsResortsSpas and @SixSensesSpas. Tune in on Monday, April 13 (around 3:00 pm UK time / 9:00 pm Bangkok time) @SixSensesLaamu and find the first weeks module at www.sixsenses.com/en/at-home-with-six-senses.

Six Senses Laamu is located in the unblemished Laamu Atoll, just a short inter-island flight and boat hop away (35-minute flight followed by a 15-minute speedboat ride from Velana Internation Airport). The idyllic destination presents on-land and over-water villas with a sense of privacy and seclusion, in addition to amazing views of the ocean and Maldivian nature. The amazing villas, dolphins playing in the warm sapphire seas and restaurants serving mouthwatering East-West cuisine create an exceptional, natural nirvana.

On top of offering a wide range of dining options and cuisine from around the world, The resort also includes an ice cream parlor, an over-water wine cellar and its signature Chill Bar. Many activities and excursions are available on land, in water and underwater, in addition to the Six Senses Spa.

 

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