Thirty U.S. teachers have been selected to participate in an environmental study tour to the Galápagos Islands, a designated World Heritage site off the coast of Ecuador, as part of the Toyota International Teacher Program. The program takes place November 22 to December 6, 2008.
Now in its 10th year, the Toyota International Teacher Program is an international study tour for secondary teachers of all disciplines focused on promoting environmental conservation and sustainability, as well as global understanding. This year's participants were selected from nearly 1,000 applications received from educators across the U.S.
"Today, we recognize how mutually dependent we all are on the Earth's resources. The Toyota International Teacher Program seeks to provide teachers the tools they need to prepare and educate students as stewards of our global community," said Jim Lentz, president, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS).
For the first time, Toyota is partnering with the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management's graduate program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The Bren School plays a leading role in researching environmental issues, training environmental management professionals and identifying and solving environmental problems around the world. Through this partnership, participating teachers will be eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the university. Arturo A. Keller, professor of environmental biogeochemistry in the Bren School, will serve as the tour's official study leader.
"It is very exciting to be part of this program," said Professor Keller. "To be able to think about sustainability, environmental stewardship, biodiversity and conservation while in the Galápagos will be a wonderful experience for all of us involved in this adventure."
Representing 25 states, the 30 teachers were selected through a competitive, merit-based process administered by the Institute of International Education in Washington, D.C., the nation's most experienced nonprofit educational exchange organization. Selection criteria include professional qualifications, evidence of interest in international education, and feasibility of incorporating the environmental study experience into the curriculum.
Prior to departure, teachers will gather at Everglades National Park in Miami for a brief orientation and exploration of the Everglades biosphere, which is similar to that of the Galapagos Islands. Earlier this year, Everglades National Park was one of five national parks designated for support under Toyota's LEAF program, which entailed a donation of $5 million and 23 vehicles in support of environmental education programs at these parks.
While in Galapagos, this year the American teachers will be joined by Galápagueño teachers on a three-day study cruise. Together they will explore the remote islands of Española, Floreana and Fernandina. Based on their discoveries and shared teaching strategies, the educators will develop joint environmental projects that later will be exhibited at a high school open house on Santa Cruz Island.
The American teachers will spend time on the main islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. They will observe environmental projects, exchange ideas with experts and community leaders, and participate in activities that encourage global environmental conservation and protection.
Toyota's involvement with the Galápagos Islands began in 2001, when the company partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to help conserve the Islands' unique ecosystem. Toyota has since supported and/or funded many projects and programs in the Galápagos Islands. These include a redesign of the main fuel-handling facility on Baltra, renewable- energy teacher education workshops, and oil and municipal recycling programs. Community education and outreach have been key components of all projects.
The Institute of International Education administers the program. "Studying nature and its conservation first hand and in a setting beyond our borders will teach key lessons about globalization and the world we share," said IIE President and CEO Dr. Allan E. Goodman.
The next Toyota International Teacher Program will take place in Costa Rica April 18 to May 2, 2009. In Costa Rica, a country dedicated to protecting its natural resources, local area experts will educate teachers on local development, agronomy and conservation practices. Other activities include researching methods in sustainable agriculture at EARTH University and interacting with ecological thought leaders at La Selva Biological Station, one of the most studied tropical areas in the world. Applications for this tour are currently being accepted.
The Toyota International Teacher Program is open to teachers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, employed full-time as a secondary classroom teacher or teacher-librarian (grades six to 12) and have a minimum of three years
teaching experience. Application information can be found at www.iie.org/toyota.
Funded through an annual $1.3 million grant from TMS, the Toyota International Teacher Program is the only one of its kind sponsored by a major U.S. corporation. To date, more than 500 teachers nationwide have participated.
