Jupiter Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy
Encyclopedia
The Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy at Jupiter Community High School
is a four-year Magnet school
program designed to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue an academic curriculum with emphasis on environmental studies
.
History
----
Planning for the Jupiter High School Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy (JERFSA) began during the 1992-93 school year. The recommendation to approve the creation of the Academy was submitted in Palm Beach County School Board Report 6G November 4, 1992. JERFSA was started in August 1993 with 75 students, two teachers and funding from the School Board and generous other donations. The first class of 35 students graduated in 1997. Since then the number of students each year has slowly increased and several other staff positions have opened.
Current Affairs
----
At this time, funds for JERFSA field work are largely provided by parents, student fund raising and assistance from the Partnership for Environmental Education, Inc
. The Academy currently provides over 75 field activities per year that include cooperative field work with a variety of agencies such as: the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District, ERM, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, MacArthur State Park, Jonathan Dickinson State Park
, Partnership For Environmental Education, Inc., Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation, Loxahatchee Preserve Nature Center, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and FPL
. JERFSA has an Environmental Outreach Program in which students go to elementary schools and present environmental issues utilizing a variety of children's literature materials and field trip opportunities. “Enviroservice” is another Academy program that allows students to work with professionals from a variety of community agencies. Through “Enviroservice” students contribute over two hundred and thirty hours of environmental service every month.
Curriculum
----
Students in the program enroll in two science courses each year along with other Academy courses. High School courses are taught at the Honors level. College dual enrollment
, Advanced Placement (AP), and internships are available to Juniors and Seniors in the Academy along with other high school level courses. Students in the Environmental Academy are assigned summer homework and expected to participate in several weekend activities each year.
Field Work
----
As the program name implies, field studies are a large part of the curriculum. The motto of the Academy is that, "When one studies environmental science
, one must be willing to go into the environment". Environmental Academy students visit and study every major ecosystem
in south Florida. Each grade level participates in about 15 field study activities each year. Some of these field study activities require overnight and weekend stays. All Academy students participate in regular field activities.
Goals
----
The Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become responsible and productive world citizens. Although students get a strong environmental and earth science background, graduates go into many fields after graduation.
Jupiter Community High School
Jupiter High School, also known as Jupiter Community High School, is located in Jupiter, Florida, which is the most northern school of Palm Beach.There are over 3000 students enrolled in the school...
is a four-year Magnet school
Magnet school
In education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the...
program designed to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue an academic curriculum with emphasis on environmental studies
Environmental studies
Environmental studies is the academic field which systematically studies human interaction with the environment. It is a broad interdisciplinary field of study that includes the natural environment, built environment, and the sets of relationships between them...
.
History
----
Planning for the Jupiter High School Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy (JERFSA) began during the 1992-93 school year. The recommendation to approve the creation of the Academy was submitted in Palm Beach County School Board Report 6G November 4, 1992. JERFSA was started in August 1993 with 75 students, two teachers and funding from the School Board and generous other donations. The first class of 35 students graduated in 1997. Since then the number of students each year has slowly increased and several other staff positions have opened.
Current Affairs
----
At this time, funds for JERFSA field work are largely provided by parents, student fund raising and assistance from the Partnership for Environmental Education, Inc
Partnership for Environmental Education, Inc
The Partnership for Environmental Education, Inc. , is a Florida not-for-profit organization , that was formed by a diverse group of community leaders, educators and business people for the purpose of encouraging, promoting and supporting environmental education, stewardship, and careers...
. The Academy currently provides over 75 field activities per year that include cooperative field work with a variety of agencies such as: the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District, ERM, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, MacArthur State Park, Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a Florida State Park and historic site located in Martin County, Florida, between Hobe Sound and Tequesta. The park includes a variety of natural communities, such as sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, mangroves, and river swamps. The Loxahatchee River, which was...
, Partnership For Environmental Education, Inc., Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation, Loxahatchee Preserve Nature Center, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and FPL
FPL
FPL is a three-letter abbreviation which may refer to:* Facing Point Lock see Railroad switch* Fars Province League, the professional football league of Fars Province, Iran...
. JERFSA has an Environmental Outreach Program in which students go to elementary schools and present environmental issues utilizing a variety of children's literature materials and field trip opportunities. “Enviroservice” is another Academy program that allows students to work with professionals from a variety of community agencies. Through “Enviroservice” students contribute over two hundred and thirty hours of environmental service every month.
Curriculum
----
Students in the program enroll in two science courses each year along with other Academy courses. High School courses are taught at the Honors level. College dual enrollment
Dual enrollment
In education, dual enrollment involved students being enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. It may also refer to any individual who is participating in two related programs, but such a general form of usage is uncommon....
, Advanced Placement (AP), and internships are available to Juniors and Seniors in the Academy along with other high school level courses. Students in the Environmental Academy are assigned summer homework and expected to participate in several weekend activities each year.
Field Work
----
As the program name implies, field studies are a large part of the curriculum. The motto of the Academy is that, "When one studies environmental science
Environmental science
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences, to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems...
, one must be willing to go into the environment". Environmental Academy students visit and study every major ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
in south Florida. Each grade level participates in about 15 field study activities each year. Some of these field study activities require overnight and weekend stays. All Academy students participate in regular field activities.
Goals
----
The Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become responsible and productive world citizens. Although students get a strong environmental and earth science background, graduates go into many fields after graduation.