[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1184668158?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (April 18, 2026)<\/em> \u2014 51ÁÔÆæ 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s most visited coastal areas.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have two courses where we\u2019re teaching students Composition 2 and Federal Government,\u201d said Jonathan M. Baker, English instructor. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I think it\u2019s really important also because they can see as individuals that they can have an impact on the environment,\u201d said Dr. Delina Barrera, government instructor. \u201cIt\u2019s not just rhetoric \u2014 they\u2019re being part of something and doing something about it.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the Comp 2 course, we take a look at the rhetoric involving those policies \u2014 how they are using pathos, logos and ethos,\u201d Baker said.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/flic.kr\/s\/aHBqjCRve5″ button_text=”Full Photo Album” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”8859,8860,8861,8862,8863,8864,8865,8866,8867″ posts_number=”2″ show_title_and_caption=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 51ÁÔÆæ students in Global Views courses participated in a hands-on field trip to South Padre Island, where they engaged in a beach cleanup and toured Sea Turtle, Inc. The experience connected classroom learning on environmental policy and sustainability to real-world applications while promoting community engagement and career exploration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":233,"featured_media":8860,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_gspb_post_css":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academics","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n