SF-BEEP Program

Background
The San Francisco Bay Estuary Education Program (SF-BEEP) utilizes the successful STRAW model by bringing rigorous scientific content into the classroom and providing in-depth educational programs. Like the STRAW Project, SF-BEEP provides students with critical thinking and problem solving skills to prepare them for their life after high school as they transition to higher education and the workplace. SF-BEEP builds upon the solid foundation for environmental education in San Francisco through the work of the Stewardship and Environmental Education Collaborative of San Francisco (SEEC-SF). The collaborative network was created by The Bay Institute with funding from the San Francisco Foundation to develop integrated environmental education programs with teachers, principals, and community organizations in San Francisco. SEEC-SF offers integrated, accessible, place-based education programs that inspire San Francisco’s diverse school community to explore, appreciate, and care for nature in the City. The alliance is composed of environmental nonprofit organizations, education providers.

Overview
SF-BEEP draws upon the experience and resources of The Bay Institute to deliver real-world learning opportunities for high school students and their teachers. The Bay and Estuary serve as the learning model for an in-depth study of current and future challenges facing our watershed and ocean. Through partner organizations that include the Aquarium of the Bay, the Gulf of the Farallones Marine Sanctuary, the San Francisco Unified School District and others, we engage students in place-based education that is linked to classroom studies and the California Content Standards in science curriculum. The program presently features a summer institute for teacher professional development, summer internships and enrichment program, and a school partnership program, which next year, will collaborate with the environmental science classes at Galileo High School.

SF-BEEP continues to evolve as a program for watershed and marine science education at the high school level in San Francisco. Our efforts in 2010-11 and 2011-12 include a continued study of present and future partner organizations that help us meet the following program goals:

 
High School students participating in SF-BEEP will:

  • Experience academic success through a supportive and challenging watershed and marine science program
  • Develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the Bay/Estuary through hands-on, experiential learning
  • Gain workplace experience with an emphasis on promoting transferable, professional skills
  • Explore career pathways in marine and environmental sciences
  • Learn about key issues facing our environment and the actions we can take to have an impact in the community
For high school teachers, SF-BEEP will:
  • Model place-based education using the San Francisco Bay as our laboratory for teaching and learning
  • Immerse teachers in the San Francisco Bay Estuary watershed landscape through history, geology, marine and current science
  • Provide opportunities for vibrant partnerships to emerge with community experts and local organizations in order to take action on behalf of our environment
  • Create opportunities for teachers to network and learn from each other through the sharing of best practices.
For more information on programs, please contact: Patti Vance at pv3@comcast.net.