Bring Light: Science in the Villages, Proyecto Itzaes, Yucatan.

PROJECT

Science in the Villages, Proyecto Itzaes, Yucatan.

Proyecto Itzaes

The Proyecto Itzaes' Science in the Villages project brings the hands on work of environmental science and ecology to the poor, rural villages in Yucatan Mexico served by Proyecto Itzaes. Children in the villages of Ixil and Mococha are archiving traditional ecological knowledge by interviewing village elders (often in Maya and Spanish), and have started a seed bank of native plants. The project increases knowledge and respect for the rich biodiversity of Yucatan and provides real world experience in science that motivates students to stay in school.

Number of Donations: 2 | Posted about 1 year ago


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2 donations so far!

Target: $20,000.00
Raised so far: $70.00

The Charity

Proyecto Itzaes

Providing education and resources to Maya villages in Yucatan Mexico

Bring Light Activity

2 Donors

1 Project since June, 2007

1 Active Project since June, 2007

Charity Info

Based in: Palo Alto, California

Year founded: 1995

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Project Info

Proyecto Itzaes, a 501 c 3 non-profit organization founded in 1995 in Chicxulub Puerto, Yucatan, by Cynthia Wilber (also Education Coordinator, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, Stanford University) provides much needed educational resources to children and families in six poor rural villages in Yucatan. The Science in the Villages program began in 2006 out of the constant demand from village children for more information about the extraordinary diversity of the tropical world in which they live.

In the villages of Ixil and Mococha, students are actively archiving Traditional Ecological Knowledge ( TEK) by interviewing village elders in both Spanish and Maya and recording information about local flora and fauna. The interviews are recorded digitally and students also take photos and short videos of the elders, local plants, and animals. The interviews are stored in Proyecto Itzaes computers and backed up with CD copies. Students have started a seed bank ( Kids and Seeds project) to preserve local species as well as planting and propagating plants with the help of Proyecto Itzaes staff Simon Clopton and volunteer, Jorge Carlos Berny. This valuable resource, completely kid driven, has created huge incentives for students to seek out scientific information and to help conserve and preserve the natural world.

Funds are urgently needed for equipment including microscopes, hand lenses, drying chambers for plants and seeds, balance scales, plant presses, specimen jars for insects, propagation and garden equipment, GPS units, additional digital recorders, cameras, and laptops. The project’s 2007 goal is expand the Science in the Villages program to all six Proyecto Itzaes villages.