The Galveston Bay Foundation’s (GBF) Bay to Schools program is all about bringing the wonders of Galveston Bay right into the classroom for K-12 students! Through engaging workshops, students explore a variety of topics about the bay, such as its habitats and wildlife, salinity and the brackish water environment, GBF’s dolphin research, food webs, watersheds, and human impacts.
With funding from the Galveston Bay Estuary Program (GBEP), GBF has hired two Student Conservation Association (SCA) interns who are helping bring exciting, hands-on programs to schools in underrepresented districts, entirely free of charge. Interns Camryn Ard and K’Lei Delauro were equipped with on-the-job training and mentorship from GBF staff before delivering hands-on programming in schools within Channelview Independent School District (ISD), Galena Park ISD, Pasadena ISD, and Houston ISD. So far, the program has reached over 5,000 students and 100 teachers, sparking curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the bay’s ecosystem.
In addition to supporting classroom Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) workshops, GBEP’s funding also helps GBF provide valuable professional development for teachers. Through field experiences, GBF empowers teachers with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to teach about ecosystems. Three engaging workshops have been held at GBF’s Trinity Bay Discovery Center: Bay Aquatic Ecosystems for Elementary, Bay Aquatic Ecosystems for Honor Classes, and Watershed Health. These workshops give teachers the tools they need to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards!