Pierce VanValkenburg as Mermaid Echo interacts with children attending an educational performance at Discovery World. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
The Discovery World shows are very popular, often filling to capacity an hour before the performance begins. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Children interact with Echo during the shows. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Mermaid Echo quizzes the children during a recent show. The answer to the question on the board is false. It would take about 60 years to refill Lake Michigan. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Children use flashlights to signal their responses. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Discovery World aquarist Alexis Froidcoeur (at right) helps VanValkenburg with the shows, reading the scripts, answering questions and interacting with the children. “The kids are so adorable getting to be able to go and talk with mermaid after the shows,” Froidcoeur said. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Pierce VanValkenburg as Mermaid Echo makes a point during the show. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Pierce VanValkenburg has learned to hold their breath for long stretches during performances. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Sometimes fish swim alongside VanValkenburg in the Discovery World aquarium during a show. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Children love mermaids. So what better way to engage their interest and teach them about water than to have a mermaid as the teacher?
Pierce VanValkenburg has been performing and teaching as Mermaid Echo for several years. In fall of 2022, VanValkenburg enrolled in the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences to deepen their knowledge of water and conservation.
Mermaid Echo performs and teaches regularly at Discovery World in Milwaukee. The shows are very popular, often filling to capacity an hour before showtime.
Shannon Atwood, director of public experiences at Discovery World, says she was hooked from the start at VanValkenburg’s dedication and focus on science.
“I liked how dedicated to environmental science VanValkenburg was and how they would want to try out performing for the community. Over time, we kind developed a different way of delivering the performance. It’s a visual spectacle, and it’s really cool to see.”
