Connecting with the rainforest
Your Name and Title:
Miguel Barreto, Program Director
School or Organization
Creative Connections, Rainforest Alliance-Guatemala
Name:Co-Presenter Name(s):
Ramon Zetina, Environmental Education Coordinator
Area of the World from Which You Will Present: USA and the Guatemalan Rainforest
Language in Which You Will Present: English/Spanish
Target Audience(s): Teachers , organizations and general public interested in global connections, Global understanding, environmental education, etc.
Short Session Description (one line):
During The 5 years Rainforest ArtLink project has connected about 4400 students in the Rainforest with their peers in the US, we will share some of the insights an experiences of this outgoing connections.
Full Session Description (as long as you would like):
In 40 minutes, 2 languages (English and Spanish), plus 20 of Q&A, Miguel Barreto (Program Facilitator) and Ramon Zetina (Environmental Educator) will explain their experiences connecting students from the Guatemalan Rainforest (students from 41 communities living near the Mayan Biosphere Reserve) with their peers in 7 States of the USA.
Over 5 years, the Rainforest ArtLink program has connected over students 4400 students. Our project it’s really simple: 1st Students use art as a media for expression (we ask participant students to portrait their own values and environmental views). 2nd Participant classes use the art for communication and understanding (as both sides of the exchange will receive their partner’s art). After the art exchange happens and the art is analyzed, 3rd. Students have the opportunity to interact in real time via HD videoconference (using Vydio and/or Skype). During the videoconference, a magic opportunity opens for students where they dialogue, share, laugh and dance for each other.
The ArtLink Rainforest program ultimate goal is to promote the education of young people by encouraging their awareness, understanding, and appreciation of other cultures, as well as their own. The focus on this exchange is the environment, the effect in culture and its interconnection.
We are currently enrolling classes for the program. We encourage you to send your application as soon as possible. Below is the link for the application which includes information regarding program fess and underwriting.
http://www.creativeconnections.org/enroll-now/usa-enrollment.php
By participating in the ArtLink Rainforest Program, students will learn to:
Be introspective about their own culture and their place in it
Communicate key aspects of their culture using art
Understand, through their partner’s art, the realities, differences and similarities that exist in their partner’s world (the rainforest)
Expand their awareness and understanding of a complex ecosystem such as the tropical rainforest
Become global citizens by participating along with a global community of students
Practice using Spanish (for bilingual and Spanish classes)
Experience HD videoconference technologies right in their classroom
Creative Connections provides partner teachers with:
An introductory workshop delivered in your classroom or via videoconference to launch the project with your students.
An energized, motivated partner art class located in the rainforest
Comprehensive program guidelines with lesson plans
Our office staff, always available, for advice and support over the course of the program
A thoughtful set of art produced for your class by your partners
Access to our online teacher network of partner teachers around the world
A fully facilitated HD videoconference with your partner class in real time
Our annual International Children’s Art Portfolio featuring art from many of the year’s partner countries
Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:
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