is an interinstitutional program that creates tools and learning experiences for educators and students to strengthen scientific and leadership skills in order to understand, value, and conserve the environment and the well-being of their communities.

We work with high schools in the southeastern region of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

These schools serve over 1,000 young people from 29 communities and rural areas where climate change, desertification, and the expansion of mega-tourism and residential projects, as well as open-pit mining, put the freshwater supply and the health of their ecosystems at risk.

WE ARE EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, COMMUNITIES, AND RESEARCHERS, SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND COLLABORATING FOR THE COMMON GOOD.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Students Taking Action for the SOUTHEAST REGION

Education to Action is a program implemented in nine high schools across the southeastern region that has generated positive and measurable impact by addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing local communities: the conservation of water and biodiversity. Through experiential learning, scientific research, and community participation, the program strengthens the capacity of students and educators to understand, value, and protect the water systems in their surroundings—and the life that depends on them.

TEACHER DEVELOPMENT

BCI works closely with educators to co-design place- and project-based curricula that are aligned with the environmental and social contexts of each community. We also create spaces for professional development and ongoing support, where teachers share resources, methodologies, and experiences. This work is grounded in the *Water Pathways in the Southeastern Region* research, which provides the scientific foundation for the program.

WORKSHOPS AND ON-GOING SUPPORT

Each participating school defines a project to be developed throughout the academic year, based on its priorities and local context. With the support of a network of collaborators, BCI provides specialized workshops and ongoing mentorship to teachers, school staff, and students, strengthening the design, implementation, and follow-up of each project.

CITIZEN SCIENCE

Teachers actively engage students in citizen science initiatives, guiding them in conducting surveys and collecting data on water availability and quality in their homes and nearby ecosystems. These activities strengthen scientific skills and generate valuable information to support local decision-making.

EXPEDITIONS

The program includes one-day field trips as well as immersive four-day expeditions designed for highly motivated students. During these experiences, participants explore local aquifers and trace the journey of water from the mountains to the sea, developing a comprehensive understanding of how watersheds function.

PROJECTS

As a result of the learning process, students develop applied projects that they present at forums and science fairs, positioning themselves as emerging environmental leaders within their schools and communities. The program supports their participation in local **ExpoCiencias** events and in international youth initiatives such as the **Slingshot Challenge**, expanding the reach and impact of their work.

EDUCATIONAL PLATFORMs

Along with teachers and partner institutions, we created a Water conservation and Plastic curricula which are available now in our Educational Platforms. These sites, which are a continuous work in progress, allow us to exchange educational resources with more teachers and students, thus acting in and impacting their communities.

(Click here to access the Teacher’s platform and Student’s platform).

THE BEGINING OF ETA

Our program began as an alliance between various educational organizations during the 2017 National ExpoScience. Since then we have partnered with Monterey Bay Aquarium to develop the program and to expand it in the Eastern Region of BCS. Teachers and principals attended in-depth training sessions at the Aquarium. In Mexico we partnered with SEP (the Public Education Secretariat), research centers and other educational organizations, to develop curricular programs, expeditions and workshops for students and high school teachers .

WHAT'S NEXT?

Expand the reach of our curricular programs throughout the local educational community and enhance our digital platform to support access and engagement.
Implement teacher development workshops that promote collaboration and the exchange of experiences.
Design and deliver expeditions, camps, and fieldwork experiences in partnership with local students and educators.
Improve impact evaluation through clearer indicators, data collection, and ongoing assessment.