Volunteers sorting the debris they picked up…some is trash and some are recyclables. Photo courtesy of MERITO Foundation
Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)
“We all deserve to live in a world with clean air, clean water, and abundant, healthy food sources and it’s all our responsibility for the care of our planet,” said Rocio Lozano-Knowlton, MERITO Foundation’s Founder and Executive Director. “Research has shown that the best time to influence children and reinforce healthy habits is from a young age. At MERITO Foundation, we’ve made it our mission is to teach children how to think, act and live sustainably.”
MERITO (Multicultural Education for Resources Issues Threatening Oceans), established as a not for profit in 2014 after being a program of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary for nine years, educates youth about ocean health and environmentally friendly practices through education programs, hands-on conservation, and in-the-field citizen science experiences.
“We work to provide opportunities to demonstrate to students first-hand how their actions can impact the environment,” said Lozano-Knowlton. “During field retreats, students learn about our watershed as well as collect field data that contribute to ongoing scientific research.” In our in-classroom educational outreach programs, they engage in the development of environmentally-friendly products as well as spearhead projects and activities that help reduce their school’s carbon footprint and utility costs.”
MERITO’s two main programs feature MERITO Academy, a comprehensive hands-on Earth, and ocean science education program that provides educators with the tools to teach students about current issues facing our ocean and coastal environments. The EECCOA Program (Energy Efficiency to Mitigate Climate Change and Ocean Acidification), is a project-based science education program that provides energy, climate, and ocean literacy services and products to 8th-12th-grade teachers and their students. Every year the program culminates with a public award ceremony honoring event winners with cash prizes. Both MERITO Academy and EECCOA are aligned to the Next Generation of Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core Standards (CCSS).
“The teachers can select certain components of our programs based on their needs (i.e., curriculum, field experiences, student projects, etc.). Our only requirements are that teachers instruct 10-15 lesson plans through the school; allow us to administer pre and post-program evaluation to their students, and to guide their students to deliver an end of year projects,” continued Lozano-Knowlton.
With MERITO programs, teachers choose when and which lessons to teach, as well as if they would like to have their students participate in MERITO’s field experiences.
MERITO works with a host of top educators and environmental and ocean science professionals to help develop their bilingual curricula, field activities, instructional guides, and educational videos, and to date, MERITO’s teacher training workshops have trained 413 educators working with school districts across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
“Through our programs, students get exposed to careers in science, technology, engineering,” added Lozano-Knowlton. “The knowledge they gain helps encourage them to pursue careers related to the ocean, the environment, as well as art-related fields, all with the intent and a passion for preserving our precious natural resources.”
“When we take students out into the field or expose them to issues impacting our natural environment, we’ve found the kids love to come up with ideas and solutions that make a difference,” said Lozano-Knowlton, “Engaging in environmental problem-solving and contributing possible solutions excites and empowers them.”
The MERITO Foundation has educated 14,581 students to date in understanding our watershed, ocean, and climate change sciences programs at over 25 public schools in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Help support MERITO Foundation’s mission, donate or volunteer. Find out more about MERITO’s programs and events. Visit www.meritofoundation.org or email [email protected]
