JUPITER, FL--He's traveled all over the world, and told unbelievable tales, but today he embarked on an adventure in our area, high school!
"I just flew in last night, but I used to live in Ft. Pierce," said Philippe Cousteau, Discovery Education’s Chief Environmentalist, when asked when he arrived in town.
Philippe Cousteau is a Discovery Channel star, non-profit founder, and of course grandson of the late famous underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau. Today, he is in Palm Beach County to help mark a milestone in education.
"I'm here essentially to celebrate the millionth download of Discovery Education streaming in this district, which is a truly forward thinking district," said Cousteau.
Philippe believes that if we want our kids to keep up and learn about the world around us, outdated textbooks are an outdated concept.
‘We can't try to force them into our box. We have to be expansive and reach them in ways that they relate to. It's a television generation. It's a media generation" said Cousteau.
His presentation to the kids was loaded with cool Discovery Channel audio/visual displays, and honest candid conversation. Even when asked about what it was like to be on the boat with his friend Steve Irwin, when a freak accident with a stingray took his life in 2006.
"A millimeter either direction it would have glanced off and no gotten caught on his shirt. And that perfect angle, right into his heart, and there was nothing any of us could do," said Cousteau.
But Philippe isn't in town for just a visit, he's also here with a message.
"The truth is, everything you do makes a difference. It's not that you can make a difference, it's that all of your choices make a difference make a difference every single day," said Cousteau to an auditorium full of students at Jupiter Community High School.
"Get them into nature, and understand that this generation is more engaged, more excited about the environment than any previous generation" said Cousteau.
And he believes that in this country, anything is possible.
"That you can really lift yourself up by your boot-straps and that no dream is unattainable," said Cousteau.
For information about Earthecho International (Philippe Cousteau's non-profit organization) click here.
