Earthwatch Institute, 8 February, 2006-Earthwatch Institute is teaming up with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in St. Petersburg, FL, to provide a unique opportunity for six teachers from Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties, it was announced today.
The Rays will make a contribution to the Earthwatch Institute, awarding six teachers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work alongside leading field scientists on fascinating research expeditions in North and South America. The partnership with Earthwatch is the first involving a professional sports franchise.
"Research expeditions and baseball might seem to be an unlikely alliance, but we feel it is a creative way of rewarding some very deserving heroes," said Rays President Matt Silverman. "We will continue to seek ways where we can use our platform to promote educational initiatives."
"This is a fabulous opportunity for teachers from the Tampa/St. Petersburg area," said Dr. Alan Fortescue, Director of Education at Earthwatch. "The Rays are making an important step toward improving science education in their community and setting a valuable example for other socially minded sports teams."
"This program will provide a rare opportunity for our teachers to gain practical field experience in their field of study, and bring that experience back to the classroom through their school grants," said Terry Boehm, President of the Pinellas Education Foundation.
"We value environmental education and there's no substitute for hands-on learning in providing a lasting impact with youngsters. We welcome the opportunities which the Rays and Earthwatch are providing our teachers and students," said Bill Hoffman, Hillsborough Education Foundation President.
K-12 teachers from the Pinellas and Hillsborough County school systems will apply directly to Earthwatch, and the six winners will be chosen on the basis of their ability to make the most of their expedition experience and apply it to future curricula.
Applications are being accepted until March 15. For an application and more information contact EducationAwards@earthwatch.org, (800)-776-0188 ext. 118, or http://www.earthwatch.org/education/.
The six selected teachers can choose among several projects ranging from conserving the Pantanal in Brazil to studying climate change at the Arctic's edge in Manitoba, Canada. The teacher's school will also receive $2500, with the funds administered by the Pinellas and Hillsborough Education Foundations, respectively. The winners will be recipients of the Rays Environmental Education Award which will be presented at a home game at Tropicana Field this season.
"The Earthwatch experience changes lives and adds a whole new perspective with hands-on science and discovery," said Carly Johnston, Earthwatch's volunteer Field Representative for Tampa, and veteran of an Earthwatch black rhino project in Kenya. "It would be great if other organizations throughout the nation (and world) would follow in the footsteps of what the Devil Rays are doing for Tampa Bay teachers."
Over the past 35 years, more than 4,000 teacher fellows have received training and inspiration on Earthwatch expeditions. Earthwatch Fellowships offer teachers professional development and a renewed appreciation for learning. Many teachers apply the Earthwatch model for research to local conservation projects when they return from their experience. Classrooms across the nation also benefit from the Earthwatch "Live from the Field" program, where students can follow the adventures of teachers in the field through the latest in communication technologies.
Earthwatch's mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education and promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.
2006 marks the 35th Anniversary of the unique global volunteer organization. www.earthwatch.org