Fund the formalization & expansion of science-based, culturally-appropriate environmental education that inspires a love for the rainforest and instills a sense of agency in 5 local schools at the edge of the East Mesoamerican Corridor, a biodiversity hotspot. The program includes program co-design, teacher capacity-building, and 4 in-school workshops & dynamic follow-up activities, as well as field trips & an overnight at a rainforest research station. JOINT PROJECT WITH GEOVERSITY FOUNDATION.
Panama faces serious challenges in education quality, ranking among the lowest in America (UNICEF, 2022). In forest-edge communities like Chepo, youth live alongside globally significant ecosystems yet often lack meaningful connections to their value. Access to scientific knowledge and tools to address urgent local challenges-such as deforestation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss-is limited. Ed. programs rarely contextualize these issues in ways that are locally relevant/resonant.
We seek to strengthen and expand our environmental education and youth leadership in Chepo, deepening students' connection to their ecosystems and sense of responsibility around urgent issues like water, biodiversity, climate resilience, and waste management. Our objectives are to co-create a locally relevant, action-oriented curriculum that weaves together scientific and traditional knowledge; to strengthen educator capacity; and to embed a sustainable support system.
Our long-term vision is to cultivate resilient communities where youth serve as biocultural leaders-individuals who bridge knowledge systems, champion sustainability, and co-create solutions rooted in both tradition and innovation. This year we seek to expand from operating in three local schools to four additional schools across the district, to recruit additional university teacher-trainers, as well as to partner with a Panamanian NGO to help formalize and bolster our curriculum.
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