PREPARING FUTURE GEOSCIENCE EDUCATORS: WATER SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH HANDS-ON TEACHING IN LORETO, MEXICO

The UC Davis CalTeach/MAST (Mathematics and Science Teaching) program addresses the shortage of STEM teachers by preparing undergraduates for careers in K-12 education. The program focuses on experiential learning, providing STEM majors with opportunities to explore teaching through coursework and in-classroom internships.

A recent highlight of the program is the AguaEd initiative, a collaboration between CalTeach/MAST, Escuela Secundaria "Modesto Sánchez Mayón" in Loreto, Mexico, and the nonprofit Eco-Alianza. The focus of this project is water science and sustainable water management. In September of 2024, the project recruited Spanish-speaking UC Davis students to teach water science concepts to 9th and 10th-grade students in Loreto. The UC Davis students were undergraduate and one graduate student, all in STEM fields such as geology and hydrologic sciences.

Loreto, Baja California Sur, faces severe water challenges due to its arid climate, reliance on a single aquifer, and outdated infrastructure. Over-extraction of the San Juan Londó aquifer has led to a declining water table and saltwater intrusion, threatening freshwater supplies. Aging infrastructure results in 35% water loss, while a lack of household meters encourages overuse. Climate change, with rising temperatures and declining rainfall, worsens the crisis, while sustainable alternatives like desalination and managed aquifer recharge remain underdeveloped. Solutions require infrastructure upgrades, conservation education, and policy reforms. AguaEd addresses these issues by educating students on water sustainability and fostering community-driven solutions.

Curricula developed focused on the water cycle, water quality, and groundwater resources, directly addressing Loreto’s water issues. UC Davis students designed interactive activities tailored for 9th and 10th-grade students to explore regional water challenges. Activities included constructing mini water wells to study saltwater intrusion, a water monitoring project tracking household water consumption, and experiments on the water cycle and pH levels in fresh and saltwater. Through AguaEd, students at the participating school gained a practical understanding of geoscience concepts while raising community awareness about sustainable water practices.