Meraux Foundation Hosts Annual Delta Institute
Over two dozen educators from the headwaters and the delta regions of the Mississippi River gathered last week for the Mississippi River Delta Institute in Louisiana. Since 2015, the Meraux Foundation has presented the annual professional development program in partnership with the Center for Global Environmental Education (CGEE) at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn.
The three-day immersive experience takes educators on a tour of the delta ecosystem, instructing them on how to incorporate outdoor learning into their classrooms. Some will go on to participate in the Mississippi River Institute, a similar experience at the headwaters later this summer.
“The Delta Institute leverages St. Bernard’s location on the river’s delta and our unique ecosystem to position it as a center for river education,” said Rita Gue, president of the Meraux Foundation, which focuses on educational and environmental programs. “We’re grateful to our many partners who enrich the experience and to the hundreds of teachers over the years who, by spending their summer vacation days in this program, demonstrate their commitment to their profession and their students."
The Delta Institute is designed to increase teachers’ knowledge of Mississippi River related content, train on how to teach in outdoor settings, enhance STEM focused investigation skills, expand literacy skills, and help guide the development of meaningful, engaging classroom investigations for students.
Barry Lemoine, the producer of St. Bernard Parish Public Schools’ Educational TV, said participating in this year’s Delta Institute was eye opening, informative, and fun. “I was really impressed with the amount of knowledge and expertise that the presenters had as well as the experience and talent of the other participants. Everyone who took part was open, friendly, and smart, but more importantly committed to making a difference. I am proud to have been a part of this experience.”
The educators explored the river and estuaries by boat, offering unique vantage points. They also participated in inquiry-based investigations of riverine and marsh habitats, delta geology, coastal engineering, and urban water management.
Teachers from Louisiana and Minnesota explored Louisiana's wetlands and learned new lessons to take back to their classrooms. Download image here.
The local company, St. Bernard Eco Tourism, led the group on tours of the bayous of St. Bernard and New Orleans. Guided by Monty Montelongo, the educators saw and learned about levee protection systems, coastal erosion and restoration projects, the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, and indigenous and invasive species.
Zeljko Franks of Associated Terminals also led the group on a boat tour along the river to see and learn about midstream industries.
Other partners who enriched the program include Associated Terminals/Turn Services, CGEE, Common Ground, Crevasse 22, Delta Discovery Tours, Duplantis Design Group, Great Delta Tours, Jeffers Foundation, Mike Hooks LLC, STEM Library Lab, The Parish Marina, and the University of New Orleans Coastal Education and Research Facility (CERF).
Funding for the Delta Institute is provided by the Meraux Foundation to make it free for educators. With its ongoing support, hundreds of teachers have improved the way they understand and teach science, helping thousands of students connect with the natural world.