The Alliance has chosen to recognize Earth Discovery Institute (EDI) in our Partner Spotlight this winter. EDI’s mission is to support innovative and effective environmental education and outreach programs that are integrated with scientifically-driven land conservation. In doing so, EDI fosters environmental stewardship in the underserved communities of East and South San Diego County. In partnership with our Climate Kids initiative, EDI incorporates climate literacy into their lessons, while the Climate Science Alliance provides additional opportunities for all-school assemblies and field trips. For example, Nos de Chita, a Brazilian rhythm and dance group, uses song and dance to weave science concepts around climate change and environmental stewardship, allowing students to learn kinesthetically in a fun and energetic assembly that gets them on their feet and dancing. Field trip sites such as San Diego National Wildlife Refuge’s Sweetwater Marsh, Crestridge Ecological Reserve, and Cabrillo National Monument get kids out into nature to put into practice what they have learned in the classroom. By partnering with EDI, the Alliance is able to share its interactive Climate Kids program with more schools and bring climate science messages into Title 1 schools across the county.
This past year, EDI has been working at Anza Elementary School in El Cajon, transforming a vacant lot in the school yard to a native habitat garden. Over 150 students, parents and community volunteers participated to create this Living Lab for the students. Teachers use curriculum developed by EDI to teach students about San Diego native habitats such as Coastal Sage Scrub, Desert and Oak Woodland. This outdoor classroom teaches students long-term environmental stewardship and the importance of preserving land and doing their part to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Check out more about their science education in the video below: