International Teacher Forum

We left the island of Santa Cruz on Saturday. After a three-hour boat ride, we arrived on the island of San Cristobal. This island is less populated than Santa Cruz, with a total population of 6,142. Greeting us at the dock were playful sea lions, soaring frigate birds, and blue-footed boobies diving headfirst into the sea. After checking into our hotel and eating lunch, I took a walk to a beach to find a colony of sea lions. There must have been over one hundred of these mammals lounging on the beach! I even saw some newborn sea lion pups. They were adorable!

On Sunday, all of the United States and Galapagueno teachers met at the Charles Darwin Convention Center for an environmental teacher forum. This forum allowed us to collaborate on both a national and international level through activities and presentations. Ms. Cecilia Machado Barrera from the Escuela Galo Plaza Lasso School on Santa Cruz, presented a wonderful Power Point about the environmental projects her students do at their school. She explained how the increased population on the islands is creating an increase in environmental problems. Her students are addressing these problems and trying to find solutions. One way they are helping is through a recycling program, trying to reduce the amount of waste produced at their school. They use recyclable products, such as paper, to make products that are then sold at a business fair. They create compost from all of the organic waste collected during lunch. This compost is used in their school gardens. One of the gardens is a butterfly garden (yes, they have milkweed and monarchs here!), and they also have gardens for native and endemic species. These habitats are used as outdoor classrooms for all the subject areas. Ms. Machado Barrera also has an after school ecology club, and takes the students on many field trips to learn about their environment. In addition, the school hosts after school and evening activities to educate the public, allowing the students to present their findings through presentations to family and community members.

Through Ms. Cecilia Machado Barrera presentation, I learned that the increase in population on the islands is a major concern to the locals and causing problems. Some of the problems they are facing are: introduced species, air pollution, water pollution, increase in solid waste, possible extinction of species, and more vehicles.

Ms. Machado Berrera and her colleagues feel everyone needs to contribute in the care and protection of the islands. Teachers at the Escuela Galo Plaza Lasso School are trying to do their part by motivating the students to care about the environment through engaging and fun environmental activities.

I have heard several times throughout this trip about the troubles with a population increase on the Galapagos Islands. Many people are concerned about this issue. Some people recognize the environmental impact, while others see the economical issues related to it. I am thankful there are teachers like Ms. Cecilia Machado Barrera addressing the Galapagos population issues in the classroom.