While working as an aquarist at Save the Bay's aquarium I spent much of my time as a docent, working behind the touch tanks educating, conversing, and caring/watching out for our animals. I have spent countless hours at all three  of the touch tanks at the aquarium (as seen below) and have become knowledgeable about the animals and the facts that wow our visitors. While speaking with guests at these touch tanks I have seen people's amazement with the animals when they learn how they adapt, I have seen peoples sadness when we talk about environmental threats to their natural habitat, and I have witnessed the glowing smile as a child becomes closer to the natural world after touching a shark for the first time. I have come to the conclusion that the more people learn and the closer people get to these animals, the more they relate to and respect them. After this experience people are more conscious of how they treat the environment. This is a strong example of how education as a form of conservation really works.