DEP CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF LIFE PROGRAM

DEP CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF LIFE PROGRAM

~Environmental Education Program Boasts 10 Years of Learning~

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Environmental Education and Sustainable Initiatives is hosting the 10^th Anniversary of the Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) Program along with the Apalachicola National Estuary Research Reserve and Franklin County School District on Jan. 15 at the St. Joe Buffer Preserve.

In the last 10 years, the LIFE program has reached over 33,000 middle school students and teachers with real world STEM-learning opportunities in Florida’s unique public lands. The goals of the LIFE program include increasing student achievement in science, strengthening teacher capacity for inquiry-based instruction and preparing students for future careers in STEM fields.

Franklin County was the first LIFE program site established in 2005. That pilot project site has continued uninterrupted, becoming a model for a sustainable “Green STEM” partnership. Over the last ten years, 23 additional LIFE program sites have been started at various locations around the state.

“The LIFE program has become a model for environmental education on public conservation lands across the nation,” Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Education Director Greg Ira said. “We are excited to recognize the pioneering role Franklin County Schools have had in the successful trajectory of this award-winning program.” 

The event is free, and no registration is required. Those attending are asked to meet in the St. Joe Buffer Preserve Parking lot at 10:45 a.m. where they will then drive to the LIFE site to observe 7^th grade students from ABC Charter School conducting field labs. At 12:30 p.m. the ceremony will begin at the Buffer Preserve Meeting area. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

WHAT: 10 Year Anniversary of the LIFE Program

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015

                11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve Center

                3915 State Road 30-A

                Port St. Joe, FL 32456

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