The EcoExplorers internship is designed to achieve both its learning and equity goals through its curriculum. These goals are:
Learning Goals
- Build knowledge of Florida’s natural infrastructure.
- Enhance understanding of sustainability and resilience in South Florida.
- Develop real-world workforce skills.
- Create an understanding of careers focused on sustainability and resilience.
Equity Goals
- Engage interns from historically underrepresented groups in STEM.
- Help each intern develop their sense of identity in a STEM-related field.
These goals are the driving force behind the program’s structure and are represented in the program curriculum through three primary strategies: field excursions, in-museum learning, and science communication practice.
Field Excursions
Field excursions are a cornerstone of the internship, providing immersive experiences that build knowledge of Florida’s natural infrastructure and relevant sustainability and resilience issues. These intensive outings allow interns to engage directly with their study environment, collecting hands-on data through water testing and identifying fauna. Specific activities include dip and seine netting to collect and identify species in the Everglades’ fresh and saltwater ecosystems and using field guides to identify flora and fauna. This practical approach ensures that learning is theoretical and deeply rooted in real-world contexts.
Moreover, these excursions are pivotal in helping interns develop their sense of identity within a STEM field. Many interns have never visited these natural sites before, and through these first-hand experiences, they can form personal opinions and connections to the fieldwork. This exposure is crucial for fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the environmental sciences.
In-Museum Learning
In-museum learning sessions complement the field excursions by reinforcing all established learning goals through museum staff-led activities and guest-speaker presentations. This curriculum component is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Florida’s natural infrastructure and the importance of sustainability and resilience in South Florida. Interaction with experienced professionals and diverse learning activities enrich the interns’ knowledge base and broaden their perspectives.
In-Museum Science Communication Practice
The in-museum science communication practice is integral to developing real-world workforce skills and reinforcing knowledge. Interns receive one-on-one coaching to grow their public speaking skills, and they practice these skills with museum guests, providing a real-world context to their learning. This hands-on experience in science communication enhances their public speaking abilities and deepens their understanding of the scientific concepts they communicate.
This practice is also crucial in helping interns develop their sense of identity within a STEM field. The individualized coaching and structured feedback through a science communication rubric ensures that each intern can see their progress and identify areas for improvement, fostering a sense of competence and confidence in their abilities.
The EcoExplorers internship’s curriculum is explicitly driven by its established learning and equity goals. The learning goals aim to build substantial knowledge, enhance understanding, develop workforce skills, and create career awareness in sustainability and resilience. The equity goals focus on engaging underrepresented groups in STEM and helping each intern develop a personal identity in a STEM-related field.
By intertwining these goals with practical, immersive experiences and individualized support, the EcoExplorers internship ensures that interns leave with a robust understanding of environmental science and a strengthened personal identity within the STEM community. This curriculum aims to educate and empower interns to pursue careers in sustainability and resilience, contributing to a more diverse and knowledgeable STEM workforce.