Scientist and educator Ray Ann Havasy to create onboard programme for Dominican Republic voyage
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Social impact travel brand Fathom is to work with scientist, educator and director of the Center for Science Teaching and Learning Ray Ann Havasy to create a seven-day voyage dedicated to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
To depart Miami, US on 17 July, the voyage will take guests to the Dominican Republic and offer educators the chance to participate in interactive workshops to learn how to integrate more STEM curriculum in their lessons. It will also offer scholastic sessions for school-aged travellers to encourage them to pursue STEM studies.
Havasy will develop project-based learning, hands-on science activities and demonstrations, and sessions about dinosaurs, the weather, endangered species and earth science.
“It is so exciting that educators will learn while onboard and then teach other educators in the Dominican Republic about STEM,” said Havasy, who also served as advisor to Steven Spielberg in the making of Jurassic Park. “It is a great opportunity for them and we are so delighted to be able to pilot this unique programme with Fathom.”
Onshore activities will enable US teachers to help show Dominican teachers how they can integrate more STEM curriculum into their lessons. In addition, travellers will also be able to participate in various impact activities, such as building water filters for Dominican homes, helping a women’s cooperative produce artisan chocolates, improving homes and common areas in impoverished communities, and assisting arts and crafts entrepreneurs. They will also be able to participate in community English-language retention activities and reforestation efforts.
This first-of-its-kind STEM cruise will also host the Clean Tech Competition, a worldwide research and design challenge aimed at helping pre-college students gain a deeper understanding of STEM-related concepts. This year’s challenge focuses on developing a solution to ‘Make an Impact’ by offsetting humans’ negative effects on the planet. The winning team will receive US$10,000 and the chance to work with a professor who will serve as their long-term mentor.
“We are honoured to host the first-ever STEM sailing and be a part of such a highly respected international competition led by our world’s young scientists, engineers and innovators,” said Tara Russell, president of Fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation. “We are eager to see their world-changing ideas, while giving likeminded educators and students an opportunity to connect and make a difference in the local communities of the Dominican Republic.”