The Jellyfish Project
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The Jellyfish Project is a Canadian educational initiative formed by the MusicAL group Mindil Beach Markets. Its purpose is to generate awareness and interest in environmental issues among Canadian youth. The project primarily consists of free presentations given at Canadian middle and high schools involving a slideshow, live musical performance, and audience Q&A. The project has partnered with the Vancouver Aquarium's Ocean Wise program, and has appeared on the Suzuki Report, Canada AM, and the Global Television Network. As of August 2013, the Jellyfish Project has presented to dozens of schools and has reached more than 13,000 students.
Inception
According to Mindil Beach Markets member Daniel Kingsbury, the group learned AbOUT the relationship between jellyfish abundance and the environmental health of the Earth's oceans when coming up with a band logo. Kingsbury stated that "around the world today, jellyfish are showing up in record numbers. This is happening due to a global increase in ocean temperature and acidity, and the overfishing of jellyfish predators." In 2011, the band officially created the Jellyfish Project in order to help spread environmental awareness and activism among Canadian youth, with a special focus on Earth's oceans.
Presentations
Jellyfish Project presentations begin with a live performance by Mindil Beach Markets. Kingsbury has stated that the live performance segment helps to grab the interest of and earn the respect of the students. Following the live performance is the main presentation which includes an in-depth multimedia slideshow and a student Q&A.
In 2012, Minidl Beach Markets members Rod Campbell and Daniel Kingsbury traveled to San Francisco to take part in a training program created by the Climate Reality Project, an environmental advocacy group founded and chaired by American politician and activist Al Gore, where they received certification as Climate Reality presenters. The group has since integrated Climate Reality materials into the Jellyfish Project presentation material.
Despite presenting many current environmental issues, the band has stated that they work hard to maintain a positive, optimistic atmosphere, and they encourage activism among students.
Kingsbury has said that in the future he expects to see a significant expansion of the Jellyfish Project, including having multiple bands touring Canada as part of the Project, and an expansion outside Canada, into the United States and beyond.