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Our Mission for Education

A Center for Research and Learning

From the earliest days of the program, the biology stations have served the scientific community. They provided a base of operations for scientists from all over the world. Over the years, a large body of literature developed - all from research based at Rancho del Cielo. Gradually, scientists began to refer to the "El Cielo" area, and eventually this recognition was extended to the "El Cielo" Biosphere Reserve. This commitment to scientific study continues to this day.

Pioneering Excellence In Education

Excellence In 1967, the biology station program received a national award from Phi Theta Kappa "Programs of Excellence". The program was recognized for providing undergraduates in-depth exposure to the type of program often reserved for

large, well known institutions. Opportunity Provide students of various grade levels the opportunity to participate in a program which is usually reserved for research and graduate agendas. Students who have participated in the program have a proven record of success. They leave competitive and knowledgeable; understanding the need and effectiveness of teamwork, commitment, responsibility and the value of hard work.

Educational Outreach
	Gorgas Science Foundation has provided a mechanism for breaking the cycle of isolation, poverty, and lack of access to education that is endemic in the community that is South Texas. We have developed a model that demonstrates that education combined with a challenging hands-on field experience is a key factor in breaking these cycles.

Self-Reliance Self-reliance is a characteristic that we encourage among students. Our history is a testament to the ideal that "pursuits
of excellence" can result from the efforts of students, educators and community members, working as volunteers, all committed to a common purpose. Tools of Education Gorgas Science Foundation supports the development and publication of educational material. It was one of the first to publish guides and pamphlets for the "El Cielo" area. It publishes lab manuals for use in freshman and sophomore biology labs. In 1990 it published the first guide to flowering
plants of South Texas by Dr. Alfred Richardson. The "image" has always been an important tool of education and conservation. The foundation sponsors art shows on the environment, and has recently embarked on the production of a series of hour long films for educational television.

An Innovative Approach to Conservation

A Catalyst For Change Our program developed an early awareness for the need to conserve natural resources and served as a catalyst that
	led to the preservation of one of the worlds' most important natural areas, the "El Cielo" Biosphere Reserve. Collaboration Conservation practices of the past have not always been effective. We feel that preservation and conservation of our natural resources must go hand-in-hand with education, combined with a pragmatic approach to appropriate economic and community development. Binational collaboration is essential to conservation and in resolving
environmental issues that affect both the United States and Mexico. These issues are made even more important with the closer collaboration between peoples throughout North America.

Our Commitment to the Future
Building on our history of experience and achievement, Gorgas Science Foundation is committed to the following goals:

Education

• Promote ecological and biological field studies in North Eastern Mexico and South Texas.
• Offer an educational program that will provide a balanced approach to socio/economic development and protection of endangered natural resources.
• Expand the opportunity for science and related careers.
• Develop a career awareness network for students seeking to enter science and related fields.
• Establish an educational resource center that will focus on the natural sciences. This center will collect scientific data and general information useful for environmental issues and research studies in South Texas and North Eastern Mexico.
• Sponsor the publication of books, films, guides, and other relevant educational materials.

Conservation

• Focus local resources on shared conservation issues requiring a binational collaboration between organizations in Mexico and the United States.
• Encourage projects that maintain a balance between ecological and human needs.
• Encourage and support new conservation and education initiatives in North Eastern Mexico and South Texas.

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