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MY FRIEND MARTI

Virtual Classroom

MY FRIEND MARTI

Virtual Classroom

The Galapagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands are globally recognized as a natural sanctuary for their rich ecosystems and biodiversity. Sharks are a year-round attraction, drawing people from all over the world to observe and learn more about their ecology, behavior, and their importance in maintaining the balance of this fragile ecosystem.

Virtual Classroom

What is it about and what is it for?

Since 2019, with the goal of promoting shark conservation and the preservation of the marine ecosystems of the islands, an educational activity called Reading Sessions with Marti has been conducted. This initiative is inspired by a science-based story centered around sharks and has been implemented through activities designed to develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, and strengthen values such as empathy, respect, and conservation ethics necessary for protecting our marine species.

This activity is endorsed by the 20D01 Education District and has undergone several changes to adapt to the community’s needs.

It has been conducted in-person (2019), virtually (2020–2021), and through replicas carried out by local teachers (2022).
Now, it is presented entirely digitally through this platform to reach more people, offering the opportunity to obtain a participation certificate upon completing the program.

What is the goal of the virtual classroom?

The purpose of this educational space is to empower the Galapagos community to promote environmental awareness, with a particular focus on the protection of sharks and other marine species that inhabit the waters of our oceans.

Who is it aimed at?

It is specifically aimed at schools and families, with teachers and parents or guardians, playing a key role as facilitators. Meanwhile, children, primarily between the ages of 7 and 11, from communities in the Galápagos Islands, mainland Ecuador, and other countries in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, participate in the activities as participants.

How to use the virtual classroom?

Interested persons or groups, will have the opportunity to access a variety of educational resources for free, and carry out the activity entirely independently, considering their own schedules and focusing on the learning needs and goals of their group.

Based on previous experiences, approximately ten hours are required for preparation and execution of the activity.

How to use the Virtual Classroom?

Interested persons or groups, will have the opportunity to access a variety of educational resources for free, and carry out the activity entirely independently, considering their own schedules and focusing on the learning needs and goals of their group.

Based on previous experiences, approximately ten hours are required for preparation and execution of the activity.

¿How to develop Reading Sessions with Marti?

The Reading Sessions with Marti are part of the community outreach activities of the Connecting with Nature Program (GSC-GCT), which offers the following for the development of the activity:

  • Digital Resources
  • General Orientation
  • Digital certificate for facilitators
  • Physical delivery of the kit for participants located in the Galapagos only

What steps to follow?

1

Register to be a beneficiary of our educational activity.

2

Please complete the initial form so that you can download the educational resources and receive our support throughout the process.

3

Download the educational resources and enjoy this underwater adventure.

4

We will contact to welcome you and bring our help in your learning experience.

1

Register to be a beneficiary of our educational activity.

2

Please complete the initial form so that you can download the educational resources and receive our support throughout the process.

3

Download the educational resources and enjoy this underwater adventure.

4

We will contact to welcome you and bring our help in your learning experience.

Lets begin

1. Please register using the form below. Once you do, you will be able to continue with the process.
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In 2022, the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and the broader UNC & USFQ Galapagos Initiative will celebrate its 10th Anniversary. We are proud to announce the World Summit on Island Sustainability scheduled to be held on June 26–30, 2022 at the Galapagos Science Center and the Community Convention Center on San Cristobal Island.

The content of the World Summit will be distributed globally through social media and results documented through papers published in a book written as part of the Galapagos Book Series by Springer Nature and edited by Steve Walsh (UNC) & Carlos Mena (USFQ) as well as Jill Stewart (UNC) and Juan Pablo Muñoz (GSC/USC). The book will be inclusive and accessible by the broader island community including scientists, managers, residents, tourists, and government and non-government organizations.

While the most obvious goal of organizing the World Summit on Island Sustainability is to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the GSC and the UNC-USFQ Galapagos Initiative, other goals will be addressed through special opportunities created as part of our operational planning of the World Summit.

For instance, we seek to elevate and highlight the Galapagos in the island conservation discourse, seeking to interact with other island networks in more obvious and conspicuous ways to benefit the Galapagos Islands, the UNC-USFQ Galapagos Initiative, and the world. We will seize the opportunity to further develop the I2N2 – International Islands Network-of-Networks. Further, we wish to highlight and emphasize multiple visions of a sustainable future for the Galapagos Islands and we cannot do this alone. Therefore, engaging the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Tourism, the Government Council of Galapagos, the Galapagos National Park, and local Galapagos authorities, including government and non-government organizations and local citizen groups, is imperative.

The Galapagos Science Center on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos

Borrowing from Hawaii’s and Guam’s Green Growth Program and the Global Island Partnership, we wish to examine existing global programs that emphasize island sustainability and their incorporation into life, policies, and circumstances in the Galapagos Islands. We will also seek to enhance our connections with the institutional members of our International Galapagos Science Consortium and expand the Consortium through the recruitment of other member institutions. We will also work to benefit islands and their local communities by working with citizen groups as well as important NGOs who seek to improve the natural conditions in the Galapagos and diminish the impact of the human dimension on the future of Galapagos’ ecosystems.

Lastly, we will use the World Summit to benefit UNC & USFQ and our constituencies through a strong and vibrant communication plan about the World Summit, creating corporate relationships as sponsors, identifying funding goals through donors, and benefiting our study abroad program for student engagement in the Galapagos Islands. We plan to develop and issue a Galapagos Sustainability Communique after the World Summit that includes the vision and insights of all its participants for a sustainable Galapagos with applicability to global island settings.

We are eager to hear your perspective and have you join us at the World Summit on Island Sustainability!