HRI: Education Outreach

WHAT WE DO - EDUCATION OUTREACH

HRI'S EDUCATION OUTREACH

HRI Innovation Academy
HRI Doctoral Fellow Sandra Arismendez, right, presents a lecture on Watersheds 101 during the Innovation Academy held at HRI Aug 6, 2007. (photo by Tina Dellinger)

HRI Associate Director Dr. Wes Tunnell, along with HRI Research Specialist Suraida Nañez-James and Doctoral Fellow Sandra Arismendez, have been leading the effort to establish a science education and outreach program at the HRI.

The institute recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD), becoming the primary post-secondary education partner collaborating with the Innovation Academy for Engineering, Environmental and Marine Science at Claude C. Cunningham Middle School and Foy H. Moody High School.

HRI Endowed Research Professor Dr. Greg Stunz shows students how to identify fish during the Marine Eco session of the Innovation Academy (photo by Brandy West)

The Innovation Academy whose central theme of study revolves around the Gulf of Mexico is the first step in this endeavor. HRI will help facilitate the new programs in the areas of engineering, environmental and marine science. This academy which targets students interested in science, technology, engineering and math careers is Corpus Christi’s first Texas Science Technology Engineering and Math (T-STEM) Program to include both middle and high school students.

The program was funded by a grant from the Texas Education Agency, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Dell Foundation, and other foundations throughout the state. Educating our students about the importance of protecting and conserving the Gulf of Mexico as a resource is vital in meeting the long-term goals of HRI; therefore, making this a win-win partnership for both HRI and CCISD.

Mr. Jay Vasquez, Innovation Academy Science Teacher, helps student navigate through ArcMap computer software. (Photo by Jessica Grumman)

Logo - Innovation Academy

WHAT WE DO
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
EDUCATION OUTREACH
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
BULLETIN 89, 50-YEAR UPDATE
GULFBASE WEBSITE
SEMINAR SERIES
STATE OF THE GULF SUMMIT

NEWS CLIP VIDEO
MARCH 2008 - Through the Laguna Outreach Project, a class of 9th grade students accompanied HRI scientists and Texas A&M professors on a field trip to the Laguna Madre Field Station for a hands-on experience with science. The project helps open the door to students interested in marine biology by teaching them about the Laguna Madre ecosystem and sea life, then allowing them to collect samples in the field. It's a joint project between HRI and Corpus Christi ISD.

Students and scientists team up
AUGUST 2007 - HRI to work with new Science Technology and Math students at Moody High School.

HRI reaches out
to future scientists

AUGUST 2007 - The HRI hosted the inaugural Innovation Academy student orientation on August 6 when 70 incoming Cunningham Middle School sixth grade students and their teachers participated in hands-on activities and interacted with HRI faculty, staff and students to get a first-hand look at various science disciplines.

The sessions were held in the Educational Center for Mathematics and Science located on the TAMU-CC campus.

HRI Endowed Research Professor Dr. Greg Stunz, along with HRI researchers Megan Reese and Sarah Bayer, lead sessions on marine ecology, while HRI Doctoral Fellow Sandra Arismendez shed some light on watersheds and watershed issues using Enviroscape models.

Other sessions included water chemistry presented by Earthmobile Coordinator Mayra Martinez and a session on geographic information systems (GIS) given by graduate research assistant Lauren Young.

Throughout the day, students were informed about the rules and standards expected at the new academy. The closing events included a parent-student commitment session and reception in the University Lonestar Ballroom.

Reflecting on the event, HRI's Suraida Nanez-James said, "Robert Louis Stevenson said, 'Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.' We at HRI believe our involvement in this education outreach endeavor is the first step in planting those very important seeds so that we can harvest the next crop of well-informed, conservation-minded individuals."