LAS VEGAS – On Tuesday, June 18, 2013, the Department of the Interior's National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bureau of Land Management will host more than 260 Latino youth leaders at a series of events in the Las Vegas area to promote the participation among Latinos in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields.
The high school and college-aged students, who are taking part in a national youth leadership development program through the League of United Latin American Citizens and the University of Las Vegas, will raft the Colorado River, hike the Red Rock Canyon and Moapa Valley and take a behind the scenes tour of Hoover Dam as they learn about the wide variety of science-based careers in the Department of the Interior.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to experience our nation's public lands and natural wonders – especially in places like Nevada,” said Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. “In partnership with organizations such as LULAC, we are working to connect young people from all backgrounds to the great outdoors and to encourage the next generation of conservationists and scientists through hands-on learning experiences.”
“LULAC is delighted to partner with the Department of the Interior in connecting Latino youth to public lands,” said Margaret Moran, President of LULAC. “Latinos are vastly underrepresented in STEM fields and we applaud the Interior Department for inviting our young people to see these incredible places and meet the staff who inspire students to become wildlife biologists, hydro-engineers or park rangers.”
Each agency will host a group of students for field-based activities, tours and discussions with staff. At Hoover Dam, students will shadow engineers as they learn about hydrological sciences, flood control and how the dam is used to protect fish and wildlife habitat. While traveling down the Black Canyon, another group of students will learn about the history, geology and wildlife that make the Colorado River's Black Canyon unique.
Other students will hike the trails of Red Rock Canyon, taking in the incredible vistas while learning about natural resource management. Still others will learn about the extensive habitat restoration and other scientific projects conducted by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure the protection of the endangered species and other wildlife in the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Partner organizations participating in this STEM outreach also include the Student Conservation Association, Outdoor Las Vegas Foundation, Forever Resorts, Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association, Friends of Red Rock Canyon, Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Great Basin Institute and Black Canyon River Adventures.
WHAT
Field based learning activities to promote interest among Latino youth in STEM careers.
WHEN
Tuesday, June 18, 2013 @ 7:00 a.m.
WHERE
Buses will pick up students at University of Las Vegas, Cox Pavilion parking lot. From there, students will depart in groups to one of the following areas managed by Interior:
* National Park Service- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
* Fish and Wildlife Service – Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge
* Bureau of Land Management - Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
* Bureau of Reclamation – Hoover Dam
EDITOR'S NOTE
Reporters are welcome to accompany the students on the various field trips, but space is limited. Please RSVP to Noemi Perez, US Fish & Wildlife Service at 703-358-2688 or noemi_perez@FWS.gov, if your news organization is interested in participating.
Source: Department of Interior
