Eco-Academy
HOMESCHOOL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND PARENT EDUCATORS
REGISTRATION FORM
PLEASE FAX ALL COMPLETED FORMS TO 305-254-5866 OR DELIVERY IT IN PESRON TO THE VISITOR CENTER TICKET OFFICE STAFF.
ECO-ACADEMY
The ECO-ACADEMY provides a hands-on curriculum to community youth and the general public in the fields of marine biology, zoology, Ecology and History. Our team is a highly trained group of individuals that is dedicated to preserve and interpret the invaluable resources found at Deering Estate at Cutler. Our Eco-brigade is prepared to interact in a fun and educational way with every group regardless of age, special interests or grade level. They will encourage student and parent educator participation during educational programs. They are trained in South Florida and the world’s ecosystems. With some of the highest quality and most diverse natural resources remaining in Miami-Dade County, our ECO-ACADEMY also educates our community about preserving our biodiversity through environmental stewardship, environmental sustainability, and overall resource management.
ECO-ACADEMY’S sessions engage participants in an interactive, positive and balanced activity to help them understand and appreciate, as well as think critically about, the world around them. The Deering Estate staff provides participants with fossils, artifacts and tools, living exhibits, preserved specimens, photographs and simple laboratory experiments to help illustrate the key points of a specific topic. The program will accommodate up to 30 people and will be offered once a week for 30 week during the academic year for 2 hours each session. The fee is $50 per module (5 weeks). The cost of material is included in the fee. (Field Trip fees are not included).
Ages: 5 yrs old & up (Parents are required to participate in the program, Parent is allowed Free)
Days:
Wednesday AM 10:00-12:00
Wednesday PM 2:00-4:00
Saturday AM 10:30-12:30
MARINE CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND POLICY SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM
Early in 2010, the Deering Estate at Cutler received a grant from the R. J. Dunlap Marine Conservation Program to design a curriculum and lesson plans for the Marine Conservation Science & Policy Service Learning Program so that teachers, students, and staff learn collaboratively in a hands-on environment that is convenient for all.
Each of five, five week lesson plans, includes in depth study in Coastal and Ocean Habitats; Ichthyology; Ocean Connections; Marine Issues; and Management, Conservation, Research, and Action. In partnership with the Deering Estate at Cutler (an historic flanking protected resources of the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve and listed on the National Register of Historic Places), the MCS&P Service Learning Program partnership provides a practical, hands-on marine science education and self-initiated research project opportunities for high school, undergraduate and graduate students in the marine science field. Fostering excitement, scientific understanding and stewardship of our native habitats, coastlines and bay resources, the proposed MCS&P Service Learning Program educates our community (particularly youth) about preserving our biodiversity through environmental stewardship, environmental sustainability, and overall resource management.
This program will be taught at Deering Estate at Cutler for 30 weeks during 2 hours sessions once a week. This program is designed for youth 9 yrs old and older. The cost of the program is $50 per module plus $12 annual registration fee. A minimum of 25 participants is required.
Ages: 9 yrs old & up
Days:
Tuesday AM 10:00-12:00
Tuesday PM 2:00-4:00
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION STUDIES PROGRAM
We understand that today’s environmental issues are complex and require an educated citizenry. In its most general sense, environmental literacy means understanding how human actions and decisions affect environmental quality and acting on that understanding in a responsible and effective manner. Environmental literacy consists of four essential aspects (NAAEE, 2000): 1) developing inquiry, investigative, and analysis skills; 2) acquiring knowledge of environmental processes and human systems; 3) developing skills for understanding and addressing environmental issues; and 4) practicing personal and civic responsibility for environmental decisions. The WILDLIFE CONSERVATION STUDIES curriculum will include student application of these four essential elements in order to increase environmental stewardship. Through culminating activities that directly engage students in environmental practices, students will practice informed, responsible citizenship that is the ultimate aim of environmental literacy.
Isolating activities such as computers, video games, television, and emphasis on book work in the formal classroom offer few opportunities for kids to interact with their natural world, and as a result many of tomorrow's leaders and policy makers may grow up with little or no meaningful exposure to environmental education or opportunities to connect with the natural world that comes from exploring fields, marine environments, and tropical hammocks. Linking education and the environment can result in dramatic improvements to the quality of education. A report issued in 2000 by the National Environmental Education and Training found that reading and mathematics scores improved; Students performed better in science and social studies; Students developed the ability to transfer their knowledge from familiar to unfamiliar contexts; Students learned to “do science” rather than just “learn about science;” Classroom discipline problems declined; and All students have the opportunity to learn at a higher level.
Ages: 9 yrs old & up
Days:
Thursday AM 10:00-12:00
Thursday PM 2:00-4:00
GLOBAL STUDIES PROGRAM
Global studies are the academic study of political, economic, social and cultural relationships of the world. Furthermore, it can also include the study of political and cultural processes, the impacts of globalization, markets and communications. Global Studies incorporates transnational and local trends in its curriculum. Undertaking a global studies course also include field work or research in a particular area of interest. A motivation for global studies is the creation of an effective citizenry. At Deering Estate at Cutler the purpose of social studies is to “teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy. The creation of effective citizenship results in people who are willing to, and have the capacity to become involved in local and global issues. The outcomes are often very positive, leading to an improvement in services, better quality of democratic participation and community education. To achieve effective citizenship, students must be educated in ways that engage and place emphasis on the importance of global issues. By studying a subject such as global studies, students can gain the knowledge required to become effective citizens.
The Global Studies program encompasses the study of multidisciplinary courses taught in a hands-on setting for 2 hours a week. Among the discipline included in this program are Foundation of Life, General Sciences such as biology, chemistry and physics, Humanities and World History, Principles of Conservation and the full study of the Everglades as a World Heritage Site in Florida.
This program will be taught at Deering Estate at Cutler for 30 weeks during 2 hours sessions once a week. The cost of the program is $50 per module plus $12 annual registration fee. A minimum of 25 participants is required.
Ages: 5 yrs old & up
Days:
Monday AM 10:00-12:00
Note: All classes have a minimum of 25 participants and a maximum of 30. For more information about registration please contact Yoelly Burgos at 305-235-1668 ext 222 or via email at yburgos@miamidade.gov.