ESEC
Community Outreach
Binational Education

CONTACT:
Community Outreach Manager
Judy Ramírez
619.255.0291
jramirez@sdnhm.org

Del Museo al Barrio

Del Museo al Barrio (from the Museum to the Neighborhood) provides bilingual natural history and science education to families in Sherman Heights, our neighboring Hispanic community. With classes for first- and second-graders having begun in 1995, the program has since expanded to serve children through middle school. The San Diego Natural History Museum, in collaboration with Sherman Heights Community Center, the San Diego Public Library, and the Sierra Club, provides the various components of Del Museo al Barrio.

Salidas de Ciencia students observe insects they caught at Golden Hill Park.

Adelante Ciencia students test water quality.

Clases de Historia Natural (Natural History Classes) for first- and second-grade children and their families involve thematically connected, hands-on art, science, and reading activities. The classes are conducted in Spanish and are taught by docentes, members of the community trained by Judy Ramírez, the Museum's Community Outreach Manager. Each unit consists of three or more weekly sessions at Sherman Heights Community Center followed by a field trip to the Museum or other appropriate site.

Salidas de Ciencia (Science Field Trips) are conducted in the neighborhood and in nearby Golden Hill Park. Participating third- and fourth-grade students learn about natural history in their neighborhood and engage in activities that promote a "sense of place" and pride in their community. In addition, they go on field trips to the Museum and other sites. These activities are conducted bilingually by docentes.

Adelante Ciencia students proudly display sand casts featuring bird tracks and shells.

Adelante Ciencia student shows water cycle print.

Adelante Ciencia offers opportunities for fourth- and fifth-grade students to engage three times weekly in an integrated hands-on watershed-based science curriculum, computer technology, and art classes. The instructors are credentialed teachers with community members assisting.

In Inner City Outings, participants go on monthly hikes and camping excursions led by Sierra Club volunteers. They hike and camp in local sites such as Tijuana Estuary and Mission Trails Regional Park, as well as the San Diego County mountains and desert. In addition, youth engage in leadership training, then become assistants on the monthly hikes.

Funders to date include Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, the Bravo, Billingsley, Gummerlock, Linnie Cooper, McCarther, Robinson's May, San Diego, Hamilton White and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundations, KSWB Cares for Kids, California Coastal Commission, Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, Union Bank, The San Diego Natural History Museum, El Museo del Pueblo and a 21st Century Community Learning Grant.

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