Grant: 20-026E
Project Title: Sea Turtle TECH: Inspiring the Future Stewards of the Archie Carr Refuge
Project Manager: Sarah Rhodes-Ondi
Organization: Sea Turtle Conservancy (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $24,821.80
Completion Date: 2021-09-27
Summary: In summer of 2020, STC will launch a Sea Turtle TECH (Technology Education Challenges Horizons) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Mentorship Program for middle school students and a Conservation Career Training Program targeting high school and college students from the Barrier Island Center. The main goal of the program is to train local middle, high school and college students in the 21st century STEM career skills necessary to manage and protect sea turtles, the Refuge and important coastal habitats statewide. Sea Turtle TECH will encourage local youth and teens to explore STEM fields by interacting with professional STEM role models, increase confidence in their ability to achieve STEM careers, gain a broader understanding of what STEM is and what tools and technologies are used in sea turtle science and natural resource management. The career training program will give high school and college students an opportunity to build leadership skills as they mentor the middle school students. These students will also have an opportunity to gain real-workforce development skills in environmental education, natural resources, guest services, aquarium maintenance and gift shop management. By training local youth to pursue STEM careers and spark their passion for sea turtle conservation, Sea Turtle TECH will contribute to the recovery of Florida’s sea turtles and habitats for generations to come.
Results: The Sea Turtle TECH STEM program had a strong summer 2021 kick-off. Youth, teens and college students improved their skills, confidence and interest in STEM and conservation careers through hands-on STEM workshops facilitated by STEM conservation professionals and intern mentors. STC is committed to fundraise to continue to collaborate with the Archie Carr Working Group and Boys and Girls Club and Club Esteem to inspire the next generation of stewards of the Carr Refuge. To inspire the future stewards of the Carr Refuge, Sea Turtle TECH also aimed to shift attitudes in youth towards connecting with sea turtles and natural resources with the goal of inspiring youth to make pro-conservation behavior changes. Sea Turtle TECH reached new diverse audiences who had not had a chance to connect with sea turtles and natural resources prior to the program. Prior to the program 38% of the students did not respond when asked about their attitude toward sea turtles or said 'I have no idea.' After the program, 94% of the students reported positive attitudes towards sea turtles including all of the students who reported no attitude toward sea turtles prior to the program. Student attitudes towards sea turtles changed during the program which inspired a willingness to make behavior changes to save sea turtles. On the pre-surveys, 19% of the students listed a specific behavior change that they were likely to change to help save sea turtles and their habitats; however, on the post-surveys 69% of the students listed specific behavior changes they were likely to change. During the post-interviews, a Black, 14 year old female described how real-world experience with sea turtles changed her perspective during the program, 'My favorite part of the program was seeing sea turtles. I learned that sea turtles are very large and in real life they are very different than I would expect them to be on camera.' She also planned to reduce the amount of trash she uses after participating in the program. Sea Turtle TECH connected the hearts and minds of local youth to sea turtles and natural resources and inspired youth to report they were likely to implement pro-conservation behaviors in their lives. STC also successfully recruited and hired four paid interns from Brevard and Indian River Counties to participate in the Conservation Career Training Program. These interns assisted with the STEM workshops and all manner of operations at the Barrier Island Center. The three interns, two high school students and one college student, hired through the Sea Turtle Grants Program all qualified either for free and reduced lunch in high school or need based financial aid for college. STC was also able to hire a second college intern from Indian River County through a Quail Valley Charities grant that supported the Sea Turtle TECH program for Indian River County.