• Description     • South Africa Expedition    Details       • Student Projects

The Kenneth A Picerne Foundation has created the Global Sustainability Project in collaboration with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, California and the Earthwatch Institute. The Foundation will be supporting an intensive educational and experiential stateside program in addition to providing scholarships for eight students and one teacher to participate in a 12 day field expedition to South Africa this summer. Students will aid research scientists studying ecological sustainability among Africa’s wildlife, particularly hyenas and other scavengers. I. Goal To create a meaningful, potentially transformative opportunity for high school youth to actively engage in ecological sustainability, both locally and internationally. II. Objectives Raise students' awareness of responsibilities as global citizens Increase knowledge of international ecological sustainability Promote involvement in local community environmental sustainability Encourage the development of future conservation leaders III. The Global Sustainability Project (GSP) In order to make the summer field experience more meaningful, students will design a pre-field project during the second semester of the junior year. Students will choose to gain greater depth of knowledge and understanding in the areas of science, art, culture or ecology as it relates to the South African expedition. During the summer students will be sent on a 12 day international conservation volunteer program conducted by the Earthwatch Institute. In order to reinforce learning, a teacher from the school will be sent on the Teen Expedition. In the fall, students will design and initiate local ecological sustainability projects in their communities. This experiential pre- and post-field work will be consonant with objectives of the IB Creativity, Action, Service program. The pre- and post-tour experiential and educational activity in conjunction with the expedition to Africa is a unique program for high school students. It is a first of its kind for the Earthwatch Institute and the International Baccalaureate Educational Foundation. IV. Organizational Collaboration The Kenneth A. Picerne Foundation. The Foundation will provide overall leadership, management and financial support of the program. KAPF will contract with Earthwatch to provide the overseas tours. The International Baccalaureate program will be responsible for leading and overseeing the stateside pre- and post-field educational program. Earthwatch Institute. Earthwatch is a nonprofit organization that has been supporting field research scientists all over the world for over 40 years. They are funded by grants as well as by adult and teen volunteers who take one to two week expeditions to international research sites to assist data gathering by scientists. Earthwatch is well suited to provide the infrastructure and resources needed for an international program for teenagers. International Baccalaureate Program. The IB Diploma program began in Switzerland in 1968. It has become a well-regarded rigorous academic, action learning and reflective program. The mission of the IB program is: To develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. IB Diploma students write a research paper, take specific advanced courses as well as participate in extensive personal development, experiential learning and community service. The IB program provides solid institutional support for the educational component of the GSP program. V. Beyond the Pilot Project If the Project achieves its goals over the two year pilot, KAPF will expand the GSP to other high schools in Orange and San Diego Counties that have International Baccalaureate programs. There are currently 18 IB Diploma accredited schools in Orange County and 9 in San Diego County. The partnerships with Earthwatch Institute and the International Baccalaureate Program will enable the Foundation to readily scale and replicate the project.