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Rod MacVicar has been challenging the minds of young students to
explore the oceans for more than 30 years. Milton McClaren,
Emeritus Professor of Education, Simon Fraser University summed
it up at a recent award presentation when he said that Rod is “one
of the top five science teachers in B.C.” Many former
students agree and credit their success to Rod’s enthusiasm to
learn more about marine life in the Pacific. But his enthusiasm
goes far beyond teaching science. Rod and his teaching partner
Ruth Foster established the Mossom Creek Salmon Hatchery in Port
Moody nearly three decades ago. He also took hundreds of
students to the ocean in his own boats, an activity he continues
today. He has been active in the North American Marine
Educators Association, developed an on-line marine education
newspaper, and he has been active in local environmental issues
in Port Moody and Coquitlam.
In 2001 along Dave Harris owner of Reed Point Marina, Rod opened
the Reed Point Marine Education Centre. The Centre provides
hands-on learning of marine life using touch pools, observation
tanks, viewing chambers & microscopes. The Centre provides
programs for elementary school to university level students and
also serves as the office for the Pacific WildLife Foundation.
The centre also runs an awareness program for Reed Point boat
owners on safe oil disposal, low emission four-stroke engines
and best practices for boat maintenance.
Among his numerous awards, Rod has received
the Murray A. Newman Award for Excellence in Education in
Aquatic Science; the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in
Teaching Science, Technology & Mathematics; Kees Vermeer Award;
the Salmonid Enhancement Task Group's Award of Excellence and
the City of Port Moody Environmental Achievement Award.
Rod is also a Master Mariner.
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