Sandwatch most significant stories 2017
Sandwatch Most Significant Change Stories: 2017 Puerto Rico
Submitted by Delmis Alicea, University of Puerto Rico Sea Grant College Program. Country name: Puerto Rico Name of person completing the form: Nayrobie Lee Rivera Estévez Date: Thursday, June 8, 2017 Any other logistical information you would like to add: Undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, majoring in Educational Psychology. WHAT was the most significant change? I have loved everything ocean-related since I was little. Once I started working on the Sandwatch Program, I saw the ocean from a different perspective. I don’t simply go to the beach anymore and see how fun and beautiful it is; now I pay more attention to details that changed from one visit to the next. My love for marine ecosystems also grew, and lit a passion inside me for protecting the environment. The Sandwatch Program experience led me to become interested in Oceanography as an academic career path. I entered the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez in the Geology major, intending to continue my studies along the marine geology path, following that passion for environmental protection. However, during my time in the university, I realized that the only way to preserve nature is by educating others. This made me want to dedicate myself to the education field, but from a different perspective. I changed majors, and am currently studying psychology with the end goal of specializing in educational psychology. The objective is still the same: save the ecosystems, but this time, I will reach it by helping create a generation more conscientious about the environment. In the future, I hope to have my own school, with my own educational system, in which I’ll foster education through projects like Sandwatch, in which children learn by having the most direct contact possible with nature. WHEN did it take place? During my years in high school, from 2009-2013, at the Peñón Amador Beach in Camuy, Puerto Rico WHO was involved? Biology teacher Brenda Lee Estévez Moreno. Students from the Miguel F Santiago Echegaray High School, from the S.O.S. (“Student Organization of Science”) Student Organization. Professor Delmis Alicea, UPRM Sea Grant Program WHY was it significant? The Sandwatch Program taught me how to protect my favorite place: the beach. It was an enriching experience in which I felt I made a big different in preserving the environment. |
Sandwatch Most Significant Change Stories: 2017 Puerto Rico
Submitted by Delmis Alicea, University of Puerto Rico Sea Grant College Program. Country name: Puerto Rico Name of person completing the form: Pedro Antonio Nina Acevedo Date: Monday, May 5, 2017 Any other logistical information you would like to add: Project participation: 2009 -2011 WHAT was the most significant change? I have always been interested in biology. Thanks to the Sandwatch Program in high school, my interest only increased, and it focused on marine sciences. At the time of writing, I am near graduating with a BA in Biology and a minor in Marine Biology in the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón campus. Since 2015, I have served as a volunteer at the Manatee Conservation Center, helping rescue, restore and release marine species and working along Dr. Antonio Mignucci. I have also participated in several organizations and communities during beach cleaning and conservation efforts. Sue to my studies and experiences in these areas, I have been chosen to give Oceanography workshops and lectures to Boy Scout groups. WHEN did it take place? High school project, from 2009-2011. Monitored beach: Peñón Amador, Camuy, PR SANDWATCH MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES Sandwatch Most Significant Change Stories: 2017 WHO was involved? Biology teacher Brenda Lee Estévez Moreno Students from the Miguel F. Santiago Echegaray School, and the S.O.S student organization (“Student Organization of Science”) Professor Delmis Alicea, UPR Sea Grant Program WHY was it significant? I discovered something I could dedicate myself to: educating and creating consciousness, and protecting the marine environment. Other information: The Sandwatch program is an excellent educational tool. I consider it something important that should be kept doing. It could be adopted by universities, communities, and so on. The Sandwatch Program gave me an academic direction, and helped me achieve significant change in my life. |