With the major support of our Corporate Sponsor: International® Protective Coatings, and our community partner: Family in Distress South Florida, the DILOS program 2013 was successfully held on March 22nd, 2013 at Holiday Park (21100 Griffin Rd. Fl. 33332). The program was organized in two parts:
1. The field trip
2. Continued water education & Community Service
PART ONE: The field trip
I. GETTING STARTED: Introduction to the DILOS™ program and the scientific method
II. ACTION! The activity report:
PART TWO: Water education & Community service
Water education and community service is a follow-up part of DILOS program, it is completed through AquaSquad™.
The AquaSquad™ is formed by students, teachers, scientists, and concerned volunteers from all over the world. Being a member of AquaSquad™ means a life time membership with continuing water education and project participation. Members have full support from the STW™ STEM Education staff, are invited to all events, participate in research projects, and enjoy all the benefits offered.
THE OUTLOOK
This two-step approach offers hands-on schooling and practical web-based curriculum with useful projects and research. Young people have wide-open imaginations that when stimulated with a field of science sparks enthusiasm and creativity which are the key to all future discoveries. The continued participation in field trips and implementation of projects in school and the community has multiple benefits. Participants experience the power of making a difference and at the same time learn about science. Water science is emphasized in all projects along with technology, engineering, and math.
The community benefits in many instances, when an entire class of students adopts a waterway and periodically visits the area to monitor environmental quality, and clean up if necessary. The students get to put in practice the knowledge learned with the AquaSquad™ membership and the experience from the DILOS™ field trip.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
As beneficial as it is, the DILOS™ program can now be adapted to classes with special curriculum needs or requirements. We believe this will help multiply the positive impact and further encourage more kids to become change agents in their community.
For further development of this program at your locality, please contact Mr. Frank Ramos at info@savethewater.org
