Youth are our key to a better future. Escuelas Costeras is focused on working with schools, high schools and youth programs to engage youth in learning GPS and GIS through integration with classroom content or applied to community projects. By engaging students young to use these technologies, they have the opportunity to make a difference in their community today. They also acquire the skill sets to various projects or interests as they get older.

Additionally, because in Costa Rica, it is not required for students to attend high school (starting at grade 7), we engage with youth who would still be considered high-school aged, but through participating in community-based projects.

The following are our collaborators in Bahia Ballena:

Escuela La Flor de Bahia:  Escuela La Flor de Bahia:  The public elementary school in Bahia Ballena is home to over 100 students in grades K-6. With support from the Director of the School to engage students and equip the teachers, students are using GPS to learn their contribution to trash in the streets by mapping and collecting trash and helped them to achieve a Bandera Azul recognition.

Escuela Verde:  A bilingual private school for grades K-6. Teachers and students have focused primarily on integration of GPS and GIS to expand on existing classroom content, such as invasive species, geography of Costa Rica, and world cultures.  

Forjando Alas:  A before / after school program for students at Escuela Uvita. Students are engaged in learning GIS to explore topics of interest, such as animals, and using GPS for community projects, just as the Clean Streets, Clean Waters.

CuidArte:  An integrated center for students to receive tutoring and assistance as well as a place for youth to attend before or after school. As a new center, youth will become engaged in community projects of their own desire.

As educators continue to learn more and involve youth in using GIS and GPS, we seek to expand and provide additional opportunities to other youth-based institutions in the region.