Jupiter Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy

Jupiter Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy [JERFSA]
Location
Jupiter, Florida United States
Information
Type	Magnet school
Established	1993
School district	Palm Beach County School Board
Dean	Mr. Neal White
Grades	9–12
Campus	Suburban
Website	https://www.edline.net/pages/Jupiter_High_School/Career_Academies/JERFSA

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.^[1][2][3][4]

Current status

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.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

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.^{[11][12][13][14][15]}

Field work

As the program name implies, field studies are a large part of the curriculum. The motto of the Academy: when one studies environmental science, one must be willing to go into the environment, defines the intent of program leaders. Students of the Academy visit and study every major ecosystem in South Florida. Each grade level participates in about fifteen field study activities each year; some of these require overnight and weekend stays. All Academy students participate in regular field activities.^[16][17][18]

Goals

The Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills that are essential to becoming responsible and productive world citizens. Although, students acquire a strong background in the environmental and earth sciences, graduates of JERFSA pursue a wide range of fields following graduation.

Notes

1. Palm Beach County School Board's Official Presentation on JERFSA : http://sdpbc.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/coo/fm/greenschools/Presentations/Jupiter%20High%20Environmental%20Research%20Academy-rr.pdf
2. Wall Street Journal Article : http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB119637396088108496.html
3. Environmental Partnership Member List : http://wise.fau.edu/~sfitchet/ccli/participants.html
4. HR 1922 : https://www.jupiter.fl.us/News/upload/JILONA%20Testimony%20Rls%20Local.pdf
5. Saving Nature: Endangered Plant Gets a Helping Hand : http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/erm/downloads/pdf/newsletters/2006-fall.pdf
6. Material Gains: Volunteers Perform “Sew” Well at Natural Area Work Projects : http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/erm/downloads/pdf/newsletters/2005-winter.pdf
7. Department of the Interior Website : http://www.blm.gov/es/st/en/fo/Jackson_Home_Page/jupiter_ONA/research_and_environmental.html http://www.blm.gov/es/st/en/fo/Jackson_Home_Page/jupiter_ONA.html
8. Migratory Bird Garden by JERFSA Students : http://www.loxahatcheeriver.org/pdf/2007-10_River_Tidings.pdf
9. Jupiter Inlet Natural Area Workday : http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/erm/pdf/jupiterinlet5-14-08.pdf
10. Florida Center for Environmental Science : http://www.ces.fau.edu/jupiter/volunteer.php
11. Study Completed by Academy Teacher and Students : http://www.ces.fau.edu/events/LoxSymposium04/LoxSymp/pdf-presentations/(3)%20Snyder%20Fish%20Assemblages%20Pres.pdf
12. Scholarships for Environmental Students : http://tc.yourhub.com/Jupiter/Stories/Education/General-Education/Story~570358.aspx
13. Florida Leader 2004 Article : http://www.floridaleader.com/HSspring2004_1.htm
14. Perry Institute for Marine Science Member List : http://www.cmrc.org/about_us/committees_education_advisory_committee.htm
15. Environmental Science and Field Research : http://www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/careered/environmental.html
16. Palm Beach County School Board E-Agenda Content : http://www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/agenda/Agenda64Cat17Sub1Item2.htm
17. The Jupiter Inlet Natural Area : http://cooperativeconservation.org/viewproject.asp?pid=272
18. Giving Birds and Sea Creatures a Lifeline : http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/dec/28/giving-birds-and-sea-creatures-a-lifeline/