SIUE Students Experience Active Learning in a Trip to El Salvador
A group of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students and faculty are still reminiscing on their summer global experience after participating in a summer trip to the Universidad Gerardo Barrios (UGB) in El Salvador.
The collaborative expedition was led by Sharon Locke, PhD, director of the SIUE STEM Center and professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), and Adriana Martinez, PhD, associate professor in the CAS Departments of Environmental Sciences and Geography and Geographic Information Sciences.
“The primary goal of the trip was to learn about natural hazards by visiting Central America,” said Locke. “El Salvador is part of the Central American Volcanic Arc. There are hundreds of volcanoes, so this was a chance for SIUE students to learn about active volcanoes in a part of the world that is geologically very different than Illinois.”
Along with hiking the slopes of volcanoes, the trip attendees also viewed the surrounding landscape from a drone’s point of view, visited the historic center of the city of San Miguel, experienced an educational farm and plantation for growing mangoes, plantains, and cashews, and led science and robotic activities for students at local high schools. 
The international exchange originally focused on students studying education or Spanish, but thanks to funding by the National Science Foundation of the GEOPATHS-EXTRA program, science and GEOPATH scholars were able to join the trip, enhancing their educational experience by participating in active learning. The GEOPATHS-EXTRA program focuses on building pathways to careers in the geosciences through research experiences and internships that demonstrate the value of geosciences to society.
“I saw the students grow in confidence through the trip as they interacted with a different culture and landscape,” said Martinez. “They had the chance to connect with students at the university, learn about the various cultures present, and hike amongst Mayan ruins and the volcanic landscape unlike any other they had ever experienced. They came back to SIUE with renewed confidence in exploring the outside world and a love for a culture outside their own.”
“We were all amazed by the warm hospitality and generosity of the El Salvadoran people,” added Locke. “UGB was an exceptional host.”
Photos: SIUE faculty and students on a global expedition to El Salvador.
Students engage in active learning during the trip.
