Fish Friends Scholarship Fund
Overview and Sponsorship
It was a simple, yet far reaching request. 13-year-old Oskar Singer asked that monetary gifts for
his Bar Mitzvah be donated to the Oklahoma Aquarium to pay for field trips for underprivileged
students. Oskar’s amazing selflessness led to the establishment of the Oklahoma Aquarium Fish
Friends Scholarship Fund in 2007. Since then, Fish Friends has grown through the generosity of
additional donors to provide unique educational experiences for more than 15,000 students and
teachers. However, the number of requests exceeds the funds available, so it is a priority of the
Oklahoma Aquarium to fulfill its educational mission, by continuing to grow Fish Friends and
the number of students and teachers who benefit.
“When I learned our trip would be covered by the Kaiser Foundation, I couldn’t help crying, I
was so happy. Most of my students had never been to the Aquarium, they are confined to their
immediate environment, the neighborhoods of north Tulsa and/or shelters. They really
appreciated this chance to learn while having fun!”
Danelle Hatch
4th Grade Teacher
“Thank you for teaching us about sharks. I did not know they were so important. I also learned
our planet is covered by mostly water, so we need to protect it.”
Rosa
5th Grade Student
Fish Friends Scholarships are awarded through an online application process and come from all
over the state, however donors may specify preferred schools or geographic areas to receive
funding through their contribution. Fish Friends funds are usually reserved for student and
teacher Aquarium field trip admission, but in some cases, school bus transportation may also be
covered. The Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation is a 501 (c) 3, so all donations to Fish Friends
and other programs are tax deductible.
Fish Friends Donation
$10,000
$5,000
$2,500
$1,000
$500
Approximate # of Students
1,500
750
375
140
70
More than 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, which includes fresh water lakes,
rivers and streams along with the oceans, so the importance of learning about and protecting
our aquatic environments is critical to the health of our planet and as a component of STEM
education. The Oklahoma Aquarium provides interactive, real life science lessons and also
introduces students to technology, engineering and math applications used in exhibit design,
water chemistry, diving and more. Thank you for considering a donation to the Fish Friends
Scholarship Fund to extend this educational opportunity to as many students as possible.
Fish Friends Donors to June 2015:
In Honor of Oskar Singer’s Bar Mitzvah
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Williams Companies
Hardesty Family Foundation, Inc.
Boeing Company
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
ConocoPhillips
Hille Foundation
AT&T
To make a donation in support of Fish Friends, please click here or contact:
Teri Bowers
COO/Executive Director
(918) 528-1501
tbowers@okaquarium.org