Exploring Galápagos Island: A Journey Towards Future Academic Collaborations

Written by Lía Juy Albarrán and Quetzalli Sánchez Clavel

In early February, Indiana University established a significant presence in the captivating Galapagos Islands. Represented by Adam Scribner, Director of STEM Education at the School of Education, Michael Hamburger, Professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Molly Fisher, Director of the IU Mexico Gateway (part of IU Global) the team embarked on an exploratory journey aimed at fostering institutional collaboration. 

Throughout their visit, they delved into the prospect of forging new ties and strengthening existing ones with various institutions, including the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) in both Quito and the Galapagos, the Galapagos Science Center, the Charles Darwin Research Station, and the Scalesia Foundation through the Tomas de Berlanga School on Santa Cruz Island.  

Helping co-design an educational model based on conservation, social development, and global citizenship 

The institution’s collaborative efforts focused on co-designing an educational professional development course rooted in conservation, social development, and global citizenship. Workshops, excursions, and activities were thoughtfully crafted to promote these topics. The week culminated in a 14-hour professional development workshop, co-created by Indiana University and USFQ, and attended by 24 teachers from the international Tomas de Berlanga School. All teachers participated with remarkable enthusiasm and made valuable contributions throughout the sessions. 

Topics ranging from climate change to geological observations of the Galapagos Island were seamlessly integrated into the agenda. Professors Scribner and Hamburger spearheaded the science portion and donated a “Raspberry Shake” seismograph—a compact, easy-to-use device that monitors seismic activity—to enrich the workshop experience. Karla Diaz, from the USFQ School of Education, led sessions on pedagogy and lesson planning, further enhancing the program. 

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Global engagement among Indiana, Quito, and Galápagos  

The trip fostered global engagement between Indiana, USFQ, and the Galapagos, offering unparalleled experiences such as a boat trip around the breathtaking Santa Cruz Island. Diego Quiroga, the rector of USFQ, expressed keen interest in reciprocal collaboration with IU, envisioning ambitious plans for international expansion across research, short-term stays, and student exchanges. 

Five potential areas of study emerged from discussions: 

1. Collaborative research in marine biology, tropical ecology, earth and environmental science, conservation and wildlife management, and science education. 

2. IU study abroad programs, including semester or summer programs, short-term topical programs, and preservice teacher-training. 

3. Teacher exchanges, facilitating joint workshops between IU’s Educating for Environmental Change program and Tomás de Berlanga. 

4. Online collaboration between Indiana and Tomás de Berlanga School teachers, including language classes and collaborative data analysis projects. 

5. Opportunities for distance education, offering online programs for formal or informal education. 

A glance to the future 

The collaborative efforts of these institutions underscore the importance of seizing identified opportunities and translating them into actionable programs. As the world confronts environmental challenges, collaborative endeavors like these serve as beacons of hope, showcasing the power of collaboration in shaping a sustainable future. As the IU Mexico Gateway continues to expand its footprint in all of Latin America, successful cross-departmental international partnerships like this will be a roadmap for how Indiana University confronts global challenges with global solutions.