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ELIPSE Environmental
Latino Initiative Promoting Science
Education Environmental education is a cornerstone activity of biological conservation, but receives relatively little emphasis within minority communities. In 1998, the Smithsonian Institution Center for Latino Initiatives and the National Zoological Park Conservation and Research Center provided seed funding to establish the Environmental Latino Initiative Promoting Science Education (ELIPSE). This partnership between the Smithsonian Institution and the Zoological Society of Florida-Miami Metrozoo, Miami Museum of Science, South Florida Water Management District, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, promotes the outreach of local and national resources to under-served segments of the population. This collaboration capitalizes on the great potential that zoos, museums and related organizations have for enhancing environmental literacy in school children. The South Florida region is a model setting for developing new community-based education programs targeting minority audiences, as it is one of the most diverse areas in the country. More than 62% of Miami's residents are Hispanic, and the student population mirrors the general population (50.6% Hispanic), a situation that demographers predict will be repeated elsewhere in the U.S. during the 21st century. The ethnic and cultural diversity has continually opened up new business opportunities in South Florida and characterized Miami as a leader in Latin affairs. The community at large has embraced this progress but has suffered repercussions associated with the rapid influx of diversity. Many communities are beset with problems of assimilation, acculturation, and low levels of environmental literacy. Over the last two years the ELIPSE Program has brought local and national scientists into the classroom to share their research and personal stories with South Florida students. Research veterinarians and wildlife biologists told stories ranging from deer in Burma to ocelot conservation in South Texas, but emphasized and connected the stories to local issues. Researchers from the Smithsonian Institution Natural Zoological Park and Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Miami Museum of Science, Miami Metrozoo/Zoological Society of Florida, Fairchild Tropical Garden, and the Florida International University contributed their time to the program. Teacher training workshops on Remotes Sensing, Biodiversity Assessment, Water Management, and Botanical Garden Resources were produced specifically for participating teachers. Last year, during the 20-year anniversary of Earth Day, students participated in a celebration at Miami Metrozoo highlighting their community projects on colorful posters. Students stressed local activism and showed restoration projects, butterfly gardens, Everglades nature walk, and biodiversity plot studies. Environmental experiences are less available to urban populations and residents generally lack an exposure to natural settings. The ELIPSE program connects participants to natural resources at various levels. ELIPSE provides teachers and students with direct access to researchers and experts, and the techniques they employ while building important relationships in the community. Many of the program's components focus on impacting students through "real life" experiences. Mentors are integral in taking these experience beyond the school and into a students everyday life. A prominent environmental writer, D.W Orr, believes there is now consensus among American educators and policymakers that for environmental education to be effective, it must be taught formally in schools, it must begin early, and it must continue throughout an individual's education. The ELIPSE program works as a catalyst to unite organizations, professionals, teachers, students, and concerned citizens in order to empower under-served communities. With the increasing demands of the ever-growing population natural resources will continue to be impacted. Our dependence on the environment is becoming ever more present as it affects our health and economic stability. Local business organizations and professionals are in sync with the pulse of the community and can assist as sponsors, leaders, hosts, mentors, and liaisons. By promoting student and teacher mentoring, teacher training workshops, and student-led community action projects, ELIPSE hopes to increase citizenship and maximize community awareness and involvement. For more information contact: Mario Castellanos ELIPSE Program - Miami Metrozoo 12400 SW 152 Street. Miami, FL 33177 / Ph: 305-255-5551 / e-mail: mlcastellanos@zsf.org. |