SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (April 18, 2026) — 51 students took their studies beyond the classroom and onto the shoreline Saturday, participating in a beach cleanup and conservation tour as part of a Global Views field trip led by faculty from the division of arts and sciences.
Students enrolled in ENGL 1302: Composition II and GOVT 2305: Federal Government spent the day at South Padre Island, beginning with a hands-on beach cleanup at Edwin King Atwood Park. The effort focused on removing debris and promoting environmental stewardship along one of the region’s most visited coastal areas.
“We have two courses where we’re teaching students Composition 2 and Federal Government,” said Jonathan M. Baker, English instructor. “We examine the policies and practices as they relate to climate, energy and the environment. The students get to see how those practices work, like cleaning up the beach, all together.”
The field trip also included an educational visit to Sea Turtle, Inc., where students learned about marine conservation, rehabilitation efforts and the challenges facing endangered sea turtle populations. Through guided tours and discussions, participants explored how environmental policy, climate change and energy issues intersect with real-world conservation work.
“Yeah, I think it’s really important also because they can see as individuals that they can have an impact on the environment,” said Dr. Delina Barrera, government instructor. “It’s not just rhetoric — they’re being part of something and doing something about it.”
Faculty organizers said the experience was designed to reinforce course themes tied to the Global Views curriculum, which encourages students to examine global issues through interdisciplinary perspectives. By combining service learning with academic content, the trip offered students a deeper understanding of environmental responsibility and public policy.
“In the Comp 2 course, we take a look at the rhetoric involving those policies — how they are using pathos, logos and ethos,” Baker said.
Students engaged directly with conservation professionals, gaining insight into potential career paths in environmental science, public service and nonprofit work. The experience also highlighted the importance of community involvement in protecting natural resources along the Texas coast.
The field trip underscored the value of experiential learning, giving students an opportunity to apply classroom concepts to real-world issues while fostering a deeper understanding of environmental responsibility and civic engagement.
