FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 9, 2015
DEP
CELEBRATES TEN YEARS OF LIFE PROGRAM
~Environmental education program boasts a decade of learning~
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office
of Environmental Education and Sustainable Initiatives is hosting the 10th
Anniversary of the Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) Program along with
the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve and Franklin County School
District on Jan. 15 at the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve.
In the last 10 years, the LIFE program has reached more than 33,000
middle school students and teachers with real world STEM-learning opportunities
in Florida’s unique public lands. The goals of the LIFE program include
increasing student achievement in science, strengthening teacher capacity for
inquiry-based instruction and preparing students for future careers in STEM
fields.
Franklin County was the first LIFE program site established
in 2005. That pilot-project site has continued uninterrupted, becoming a model
for a sustainable “Green STEM” partnership. Over the last 10 years, 23
additional LIFE program sites have been started at various locations across the
state.
“The LIFE program has become a model for environmental
education on public conservation lands across the nation,” Department of
Environmental Protection’s Environmental Education Director Greg Ira said. “We
are excited to recognize the pioneering role Franklin County Schools have had
in the successful trajectory of this award-winning program.”
The event is free, and no registration is required. Those
attending are asked to meet in the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve parking lot at noon, where they will then drive to the LIFE site to observe 7th
grade students from ABC Charter School conducting field labs. The
ceremony begins at 1 p.m. and will be held at the buffer preserve meeting area. Refreshments will be
served after the ceremony.
WHAT: Ten Year
Anniversary of the LIFE Program
WHEN: Thursday,
Jan. 15, 2015
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: St. Joseph
Bay State Buffer Preserve Center
3915
State Road 30-A
Port
St. Joe, FL 32456
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